SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Spanish Fort students arriving for the first day of classes Monday will be introduced to several new faces and find at least one familiar one in a new position.

Faculty changes

Craig Ross has been named principal of Spanish Fort Middle School after serving as assistant principal under Carol Palumbo, who characterized her replacement as a “very good guy.”

Palumbo has shifted to the Baldwin County Board of Education’s central office to  direct the school system’s special-education and services division.

Becky Comer, principal at Spanish Fort Elementary School, said students should not expect any substantial changes Monday except for several new faculty and staff members.

Meanwhile, several minor changes have been implemented at Spanish Fort High School to improve traffic flow, as enrollment continues to increase and—with it—the number of cars on campus.

Specifically, students who drive to and park on campus will operate the same as last year, but buses will load and unload on the north side of the building by the canteen area. Students who are dropped off or picked up will now unload and load on the south side of the building by the faculty parking lot, and drivers of those vehicles are asked to exit campus via either Stagecoach Road or Plaza de Toros.

To minimize confusion, teachers will be in place during the first few days of school to direct traffic.

Meanwhile, Rockwell Elementary School Principal Robbie Owen did not indicate as of press time any substantial changes should be expected on the campus.

Immunizations

As a reminder to all students, the central office has issued a statement stressing the importance of providing the most current shot record no later than today, and any forms should be delivered to the schools’ respective registrars.

Any students who have failed to receive current immunizations will not be allowed to begin classes Aug. 16; however, the Baldwin County Health Department is offering one last opportunity today. Students lacking adequate immunizations can go to the health department between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. or between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Parents of sixth-graders should pay particular attention to the immunization requirements because beginning with the 2010-11 school year, students who are 11 or 12 years of age and entering the sixth grade will be required to receive an additional dose of the Tdap vaccine. The immunization protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

A last-minute Tdap-only clinic has been scheduled by the county health department from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday at the Loxley Civic Center. System officials also require a medication authorization form—signed by both the prescribing physician and a parent—be completed for any medication, including over-the-counter varieties.

Forms are available on the board website at www.bcbe.org or in a school’s office.