The 1959 song, “See You In September,” probably needs to be updated to “See You In Mid-August,” thanks to the educational gurus who decided that students need to start school at that time, rather than after Labor Day like their parents and grandparents once did.

Be that as it may, however, Robertsdale High opened up for the 2011-2012 school year this past Monday, as over 150 new students had to be registered, schedules made, and directions given out as to where their classes were.

In a sense the morning was organized chaos, or pandemonium, as students were going every which a way. Many had that “deer in the headlights” look about them, which led teachers to stop and point them in the right direction.

Teachers have already begun to look around and consider those students they will recommend to the National Honor Society’s teacher committee. Invitations to apply for membership will be delivered by current NHS members to the committee on Oct. 7.

There’s a new program at RHS this year that will affect every student in the school. It’s called Silent Sustained Reading, or SSR, and it states that students will be given 10 minutes per block to read some in the magazine, newspaper or book of their choice.

For a number of juniors and seniors the future is fast approaching as they make career, college, military, or trade school decisions. Of course the first step toward their goals is the ACT and preparing for this test which can mean thousands of dollars in scholarship money for those who go the college route.

Speaking of the future, Sir Ken Robinson mentioned that when it comes to the freshmen who are entering our school systems today we in education are clueless as to what their future will look like upon graduation.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will hold an organizational meeting this coming Friday at 7:20 a.m. Whether you are an athlete, in the band, a cheerleader or would just like to join, the FCA’s membership is open to all.

Of course the advent of a new school year heralds the start of football season. This year the Golden Bears open with the Toros of Spanish Fort at SPHS Thursday at 7 p.m.

The following Thursday, RHS will host the Dolphins of Gulf Shores High in its home opener at J.D. Sellers Stadium. All game times will be 7 p.m.

By the time football gets around to its second game the RHS Lady Bears’ volleyball team will have played matches at Baldwin County High on Aug. 18, at Mary G. Montgomery on Aug. 20, Satsuma High here at RHS on Aug. 23 and a tri-match with Baker and Daphne High at Baker on Aug. 25. Except for the MGM match, where the time is yet to be named, the junior varsity will play at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity at 5:30 p.m.