Is it that Time Already?

Pencils, paper -check. Books and backpack - check. New sneakers - check.

Must be time to head back to school.

On Thursday approximately 1,900 students and 150 faculty and staff will file through the doors at to start the 2012-2013 school year.

New teachers will arrive Monday for orientation. Seven new instructors will teach in the areas of special education, business, social studies, art and industrial technology. The school also will have its first full-time bilingual faculty member in Arabic, said Joe McCurdy, the school's assistant principal.

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At 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Spartan gym, freshmen and transfer students and their parents will meet with coaches and activity sponsors to find out about the variety of after-school programs on campus. Parents will meet separately with administrators to learn the ins and outs at Oak Lawn. With the assistance of upper classmen, students will get help traversing the halls and learning about the school, McCurdy said.

Faculty orientation will be on Wednesday.

On the first day of school on Thursday, freshmen will report to school at 7:45 a.m., where upper classmen will show them their classrooms and lockers; the rest of the student body will arrive at 8:45 a.m.

Topping off the first week will be the freshman-sophomore dance from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the auditorium gym. The cost is $5. 

One new class will be taught this year. In "Film and Fiction," a one-semester elective, will introduce students to the world of film - the history of film, cinematic technique and film analysis. The class will gain an appreciation for the history of film, different genres and the interaction and relationship between film and society, according to the school's Curriculum-Planning Guide. 

To see more events for August, check out the OLCHS calendar.