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Public schools in Richmond County will be back in session on Aug. 27. Before kids head back, there are some important dates and information parents and caregivers should know.

Each public school in Richmond County requires a uniform. Black, navy or khaki pants, shorts or skirts are the requirement for every school. Shirt colors vary from school to school, must be solid and require a collar.

Shirt colors by school are as follows: Cordova School - gold, kelly green, navy, red, white or black; East Rockingham Elementary - royal blue, gold, white or black; Ellerbe Middle - maroon, gold, white or black; Fairview Heights Elementary - red, navy blue, white or black; Hamlet Middle - red, black or white; L.J. Bell Elementary - royal blue, gold, white or black; Leak Street High School - royal blue, gold, white or black; Mineral Springs Elementary - purple, gold, white or black; Monroe Ave. Elementary - black, royal blue or white; Richmond County Ninth Grade Academy - kelly green, gold, white or black; Richmond County Transitional - kelly green, gold, white or black; Richmond Early College High School - no uniforms required; Richmond Senior High - kelly green, gold, white or black; Rockingham Middle - orange, black or white; Rohanen Middle - royal blue, gold; white or black; Washington Street Elementary - royal blue, gold, white or black; West Rockingham Elementary - red, black or white.

There are vendors, like Walmart and The Golden Rule, that sell uniform clothing. More vendor names can be obtained through the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce.

Thrift shops, like Christian Closet on Hwy 74 and The Yard Sale at 112 A Raleigh St. in Hamlet, often carry uniforms as well — and at discount prices.

“I get lots of uniforms for all schools, and sell lots of uniforms,” said Deb Roberts, owner of The Yard Sale. “This week uniforms are included in my bag sale for five bucks.”

“Thrift stores can be a good place to find uniforms for kids,” said Deena Lewis, shopper and parent. “Kids grow so fast they don’t use the clothes long before they outgrow them. Then a lot of those are donated.”

The school system put together a list of suggested items elementary school students might need when starting school: three-ring binders; one subject notebooks; book bag; color pencils; crayons; folders with pockets; glue sticks; highlighter; markers; notebook paper; pencils; and a pencil box or pouch.

High school and middle school students may need items like: three-ring binders; one subject notebooks; book bag; folders with pockets; folders with prongs; highlighter; 3x5 index cards; notebook paper; pencils and pens.

Free and reduced lunch applications can be obtained through the schools. Kindergarten students will not receive free breakfast this year. That was a state program, and funding has ended. For the first 10 days of school all students will eat according to their last year’s lunch status. If students wish to be considered for a free or reduced lunch, an application must be submitted.

This year, costs for food have increased slightly. Reduced breakfasts are set at 30 cents, paid are 50 cents. Reduced lunches are 40 cents; paid elementary lunches are $1.65; paid middle and high school lunches are $2.15.

Parents will have a chance to ask teachers and administrators more questions during open house and orientation dates:

Richmond County Transitional - Wednesday Aug. 22 from 4-6 p.m.

Rockingham Middle - Wednesday Aug. 22 from 4-6 p.m.

Cordova School - Thursday Aug. 23 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Fairview Heights Elementary - Thursday Aug. 23 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Leak Street High - Thursday Aug. 23 from 3-6 p.m.

L. J. Bell Elementary - Thursday Aug. 23 from 4-6 p.m.

Richmond Co. Ninth Grade Academy - Thursday Aug. 23 from 4-6 p.m.

Richmond Senior High - Thursday Aug 23 from 5-7 p.m. (for 10th graders and new students only)

Washington Street Elementary - Thursday Aug. 23 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

East Rockingham Elementary - Friday Aug 24 from 4-6 p.m.

West Rockingham Elementary - Friday Aug. 24 from 4-6 p.m.

Ellerbe Middle - Sunday Aug. 26 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Hamlet Middle - Sunday Aug 26 from 3-5 p.m.

Mineral Springs Elementary - Sunday Aug. 26 from 2-4 p.m.

Monroe Avenue Elementary - Sunday Aug. 26 from 5-7 p.m.

Rohanen Middle - Sunday Aug. 26 from 3-5 p.m.

— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com