By Dr. Darren “Chip” Buckwell

Superintendent, Kannapolis City Schools

Welcome to the start of the 2017-2018 school year and a very exciting time for Kannapolis City Schools. We are embarking on wonderful changes that will mean more opportunities and even more success for our students.

For the first time, KCS students will have the chance to be part of global studies, language immersion and A+ Arts programs. We are launching these programs to give our students the opportunity to develop skills and interests that will serve them for a lifetime.

KCS students who take part in the language immersion program will be eligible to earn formal translator certification by the time they graduate from high school. Our new A+ Arts and global studies programs will allow our students to expand their talents and prepare them to prosper in a globally connected world.

In addition, all of our elementary schools will add fifth grade for the coming year.

Another new benefit for 2017-18 is that Kannapolis City Schools will be the only district in the area to provide elementary families with affordable before-school care options at each of our elementary schools.

We also are expanding our middle school to include sixth-graders. As part of that expansion, we are adding programs and resources to give our middle school students more opportunities to explore their interests and excel in their academic careers. Beginning this year, Kannapolis Middle School students will be able to take engineering courses as well as more classes in career and technical education. We also are giving students the option to take dance at the middle school level.

A.L. Brown High School also will offer more opportunities for students. We are expanding our partnership with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to add graphic design and advanced manufacturing to our list of course offerings, and we will make additional online options available to Kannapolis students.

These are only some of the exciting changes taking place in KCS this year. The new opportunities are possible because of the commitment, planning and expertise of so many of our KCS employees. They have worked tirelessly to make these dreams a reality. We also have a dedicated Board of Education that truly puts the needs of students and families first and makes new programs like these possible for our students.

In Kannapolis City Schools, we are giving our students the perfect combination of personal attention and global opportunities. We are meeting the needs of our families, and we are paving the way for our students’ success. It is part of our commitment to creating the future, and I am looking forward to a fantastic year in Kannapolis City Schools!