By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Kingwood Christian School Principal Ruth Gray enjoys working with the school’s staff during the summer months to prepare for the academic year, but it just isn’t the same as when students are on campus.

“It’s busy during the summer, but it’s lonely without the kids,” Gray said on Aug. 17, three days into the school’s 2016-2017 school year. “They are the reason we are here. All their smiling faces and the hugs are the reason we do what we do.”

About 360 students returned to classes at the Alabaster-based Christian school on Monday, Aug. 15. Among the enrollment are a record number of new students, Gray said.

This school year brings multiple changes at KCS. The school has added new classes, such as a Lego robotics course, and for the first time in five years, the school does not have a formal uniform policy.

“That doesn’t mean we don’t still have a strict dress code policy, it’s just not a required uniform,” Gray said. “We had a few parents who were disappointed, but overall most of them were pleased. The students were thrilled.”

On the second day of school, KCS hosted an opening assembly to welcome the students back and go over the plan for “starting the year off on the right foot,” Gray said.

The school’s senior class also will be continuing a longstanding KCS tradition by taking an opening retreat from Aug. 27-28 at the Springville Camp and Conference Center.

During the retreat, the seniors will complete teambuilding exercises and will hear from a faith-focused motivational speaker aimed at helping them grow closer before their final year.

But the seniors have already demonstrated an affinity to helping those in need.

During the summer, the senior class took it upon themselves to hold a yard sale the benefit the Lovelady Center, which provides support services to women in need.

“They did that totally on their own,” Gray said. “They banded together and made $1,000 on that yard sale to donate to the Lovelady Center.

“I think that’s a sign it’s going to be a great school year,” Gray said.