• Area schools are right at or a little above state average when it comes to the scores this year. Fourth-grade scores are down all over, seventh grade stayed pretty static as did tenth graders. The real standout is Kings Mountain High which saw a 20 percent increase in proficiency on the writing test. More in The Star later this week...

Uniform Fittings at Shelby Middle

• Educational Outfitters will be at SMS Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help size students for their uniforms. The kids seem surprisingly upbeat about the whole ordeal. For all the possibly nay-saying, everything seems to be going smoothly... the real test will be the first day of school.

Graduation

• Graduation is nigh upon us and let me tell you... it may be a hassle to attend one graduation ceremony. The heat, the crowd...not always pleasant. I'm responsible for covering five graduation ceremonies. I'm proud of all the graduates but if I'm running around high school campuses looking a little sour, you'll have to forgive me.

Labels: education, schools, students