AVALON –– Avalon and Stone Harbor school districts have submitted a request via letter to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for $28,000 in grant funds to conduct a “Strategic Plan Study” that would provide estimated cost of educational and personnel options and tax impact analysis.

Third-grader Stephen Rice, 8, rides in to school as students cheer and hold supportive signs early morning Oct. 8. Photos by Leslie Truluck.

AVALON - Wednesday, Oct. 8, is "National Walk or Ride Your Bike to School Day," which is held every October to promote health and fitness among students and faculty at schools across the nation, including Avalon Elementary School.

Physical Education teacher Patti Fottrell said this is the third consecutive year Avalon has participated.

Students cheered and held up encouraging signs as others peddled and strode to the "finish line" outside the school early in the morning.

Students were on their best behavior as grandparents share their memories. Photo by Leslie Truluck

AVALON –– They walked 10 miles to school, every day, in the rain, snow and sleet, uphill, both ways. Well, not exactly, but third grade students at Avalon Elementary School heard their grandparents share favorite memories of third grade for “Bring Your Grandparents to School Day,” Friday, Sept. 26 when they brought them to class for the morning.

Teacher Mary Beth Ross has taught third grade at Avalon Elementary School for 12 years, and said she is blessed and lucky because “third grade is a hopping place.”