This is an exciting week in Bullard and likely many other communities as the new school year begins.

This week will be dedicated to getting teachers and administrators ready for the 2009-2010 school year. It may seem odd to see in print the year 2010. Wasn't it just yesterday everyone was anticipating the "new millennium?" Now, here it is almost 10 years later.

Be that as it may, the new school year started Monday, Aug. 17 for teachers and administrators. Students in Bullard Independent School District will start school Monday, Aug. 24. At the district orientation Monday, Lynette Hughes, BISD assistant superintendent, said she associated the first days of a school year with the odors she smelled, and how excited everyone seemed to be. She quipped that it was probably the varnish used on the hardwood floors in the school at the time, and that the odor made everyone "high!"

Actually, the odors, along with the sights and sounds on the first day and during the first week or so of school, make it an exciting time. Students can be sure that this week's orientation has all of the teachers and administrators charged up and ready for the new school year.

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Brook Hill schools start today. A back-to-school picnic is planned for Friday, Aug. 21.

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The Bullard Banner News is a forum for Letters to the Editor. Letters sent to the editor are welcome and will be published as long as they comply with the guidelines: Letters should be limited to 350 words or less and should be addressed to the editor. Letters that are considered slanderous or libelous will not be published, and all letters are subject to editing. If you have a beef with a local business, talk to the business owner or the Better Business Bureau - don't write a Letter to the Editor to complain about the business. Elected officials are another matter. Letters regarding the actions (or lack of) by elected officials or government entities (city, county, feds) may be published. However, positive letters regarding their conduct or services also would certainly be acceptable. Letters must include a name, address and phone number. No anonymous letters will be published. Names will always be included with the published letter. The address and phone number is only for reference and will not be published.

Letters may be sent to the Banner News at 120 N. Houston St., Bullard, TX 75757, or by e-mail to editor@bullardnews.com.

The deadline for Letters to the Editor will be noon each Friday. Thank You letters also may be submitted by noon each Friday. For more information, call the newspaper office at (903) 894- 9306.