LINCOLN — Alcona Community Schools are gearing up for the start of the school year on Aug. 28, and there are a wide variety of new classes and opportunities available to students in the upcoming year.

Superintendent Dan O’Connor discussed some of the new programs and what this school year has to offer local students.

O’Connor said they have had a slow reemergence into music, which was initiated a few years ago when an eighth-grade student started a GoFundMe page to bring music classes back. One donor gave $10,000 to the page, allowing the school to offer it again after budget cuts.

The district started out with a retired music teacher providing instruction just two days a week to the sixth- and seventh-graders. Now, the program will be offered five days a week with students from the middle school and high school. This summer, they also held a band camp to get students ready.

“It’s probably the thing that people talk to me the most about when I am out and about. They’re just happy that music is back for students. I think five days a week will shift it to a whole new gear,” O’Connor said.

In addition to music, art classes have been brought back for kindergartners through fourth-graders. Elementary students will now be able to enjoy art classes every other day as one of the modified electives.

As for academics, there is a Business Marketing program open for grades 10 to 12. It is the first time in a decade that the school has offered business marketing. The two-hour, daily program is aligned with state expectations, and it will eventually be integrated into a school-based store. Seniors will be able to earn a math credit through participation.

The high school will also offer students an Advanced Placement Computer Science class that will tie into graduation requirements.

Teacher Connor Hubbard will be offering interested students an Agricultural Science program to earn high-level science credits. Having received training from Iowa State University, he was eager to be able to share his knowledge with his students.

The girls cross country coach, Brianna Griffiths, said that, this year, the school could potentially have the first all-female, full cross country team, and she is thrilled about the possibility.

Wednesday was orientation for students in sixth through to 12th grade, and they filled the cafeteria to get their class schedules and collect the Google Chromebooks offered for a fee through the school.

Senior Raegen Eller said she was excited for the new school year. As a senior, she is taking four college classes, and plans to use the credits toward her college degree. She said she has enjoyed attending Alcona schools and has been able to develop a great rapport with her peers and teachers.

“We have good school spirit, and that means a lot to us,” she said. “It shows how close we are. We are close with the teachers, too. I have a great relationship with all my teachers.”

There will be open houses on Aug. 22 from 5 to 6 p.m. for the elementary grades and 6 to 7 p.m. for the high school.

Kaitlin Ryan can be reached at kryan@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 989-358-5693.