Wichita superintendent going ‘old school’ on first day of classes

Alicia Thompson is going old school to kick off the first day of classes Wednesday.

Thompson, the first Wichita superintendent who was a student in the district, will visit the schools she once attended to greet students and parents as they arrive, district officials said.

Thompson will start the day at Brooks STEM and Arts Magnet Middle School, 3802 E. 27th North. After that she will visit Heights High School, 5301 N. Hillside, and Chisholm Trail Elementary, 6015 Independence in Park City.

She plans to visit other schools after her visit to Chisholm Trail.

Thompson, a former assistant superintendent of elementary schools, was appointed in February to replace outgoing superintendent John Allison.

Other members of the district’s leadership team plan to tour schools on Wednesday as well.

Gil Alvarez, assistant superintendent of secondary schools, and Robert Garner, executive director of secondary schools, will visit Northeast Magnet High School and Gordon Parks Academy.

Michele Ingenthron, assistant superintendent of elementary schools, and Chris Wendt, executive director of elementary schools, will visit Mayberry Cultural and Fine Arts Magnet Middle School and other schools.

This story was originally published August 22, 2017 at 9:15 AM with the headline "Wichita superintendent going ‘old school’ on first day of classes."