Volunteers from Oak Grove Baptist church spent the afternoon and evening Tuesday, August 16 getting Central Haywood High School’s campus ready for students. Haywood County Schools’ staff work all summer to complete necessary maintenance to classrooms, but help with outside chores—especially right before the opening of school—is very much appreciated.  Members from Oak Grove spent hours trimming shrubs, updating landscaping, and completing overall clean up around the Central Haywood campus.  Oak Grove’s service to Central Haywood High School is part of a rich tradition of community support for the schools. The “Day of Service” was initiated by a group of church leaders in 2008; support for the opening of Haywood County Schools has slowly evolved into several days of service annually including churches, businesses, and civic groups.  Mr. Rodney Mashburn, principal at CHHS, expressed his appreciation to the volunteers:  “It is very important to our students that their school is ready on Day One.  They take pride in attending a clean, attractive school. We are so grateful to Oak Grove for their time and work!”  Central Haywood’s teachers and staff welcomed students back in the classroom on Monday, August 22.

Pictured are Jeff King, Maddie King, and Doug Haney working on the front entrance to Central Haywood High School.

Submitted by:  Teresa Heinz, Central Haywood High School