Lakeside Middle welcomes parents to rezoning drop-in

The doors of Lakeside Middle School opened to more than pupils Thursday.

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The school held a drop-in for parents of rising Evans Middle School seventh- and eighth-graders who are being rezoned to the school next year.

Principal Felicia Turner, graduation coach Malissa Collins and guidance counselors Katie Newton and Ashley Renew were on hand to answer parents' questions and to give them tours of the school.

The Columbia County school board approved a rezoning plan for the system's middle schools next year to prepare for the opening of the county's eighth middle school, Stallings Island, on Blackstone Camp Road in August.

Roenella Short, whose son is being rezoned to Lakeside Middle next year, stopped by the school during her lunch hour.

"I am looking forward to the best year ever for Sylas Wilbourn," she said of her son.

Short said she wanted to register him for his seventh-grade classes next year and to see how the school operates.

"I'm ecstatic. I can't wait," she said. "I think this is a great school."

Turner said the drop-in gave parents a chance to talk with administrators about specific needs for their children.

"It was more one-on-one as opposed to when we do the sixth-grade orientation," she said.

Turner said the school will hold an open house for rezoned seventh- and eighth-graders on May 9.