This Thursday, FDA’s pupils will be arriving on campus sporting new backpacks, books and the school’s first official uniform.

“We have some very attractive uniforms for our students, and our parents have been extremely responsive and cooperative regarding the new uniform policy,”FDA headmaster David Brantley said.

“We know, as with anything new you attempt, there will be some issues to work out regarding the uniforms. As a school, we are going to be patient about that and do any tweaking that is necessary.”

Brantley says he believes the new uniforms will be “a very good thing for the school in the long term.” Sunshine Uniforms, Inc. is providing the uniforms for FDA.

As of Tuesday afternoon, FDA had approximately 470 students enrolled for the 2010-2011 school year.

Regarding personnel, Brantley said former FDA instructor Clint Lowery would be returning to teach science, sociology and psychology classes; former teacher and coach Reggie Mantooth will return to coach basketball for the school, and Robin Settle is going full-time as a K-4 teacher at FDA.

Faculty and staff are involved in two workdays on Tuesday and Wednesday this week before the students return on Thursday morning.

“We’ve had a good day and I have every reason to believe we have a good year ahead of us,” Brantley said on Tuesday.