With hugs and high-fives, smiles and laughter, Killeen ISD’s elementary school staff members greeted their most important audiences Thursday during Meet the Teacher.
Across the school district, at 31 elementary schools, students and family members made their way to campuses in a rite of passage that signals transition from summer break to back to school.
At Peebles Elementary School families gathered outside in the shade until a side door opened and they poured into the cafeteria to scatter among information tables.
Students and parents with siblings and other loved ones walked down hallways, found their class and a teacher waiting outside a readied classroom.
Part of the event is business – filling out paperwork and sharing important protocols of drop-off and pick-up and other important details.
Part of it is reducing concerns and building excitement.
“It’s all about sharing with the parents the expectations that we have,” said pre-kindergarten dual language teacher Vanessa Rivera-Perez.
“We talk a little about the curriculum, about discipline - all the wonderful things we do here,” she said.
“We tell them we are a family here at Peebles. I’m ready. We’re all ready.”
Fourth-grade teacher Maribel Caraballo stood just outside her classroom door with a posterboard visible inside containing photos of former students in caps and gowns.
The eight-year teacher said that last May her first class of students graduated from high school.
She collected graduation photos from several of those former students and attached them to the poster with the fifth-grade class photo in the middle. The devoted teacher also attended several graduation ceremonies and parties.
Caraballo used the sentimental visual aid to explain to parents that the school year is more than advancing to the next grade level. She also wants them to know she will be keeping in touch with her students far beyond elementary school.
“I like to see the students see their new teachers and see their friends they haven’t seen all summer,” said Peebles Principal Shakira Bodon-Ramos.
“Teachers are super-excited with getting their class lists and putting everything together. They are excited to engage students in all the fun.”
The line to enter Cedar Valley Elementary curved around the building well before the official start time. Once the doors opened, Principal Phylicia Miner was there with hugs, hearty waves and high fives as everyone streamed in to find their new classrooms.
“Last year, I started after meet the teacher, so this is my first as a principal. I’m so excited,” Miner said. “This is the best part of the year, just getting to see the kids and parents. We have a community of family here.”
That much was evident in Sara Rodriquez’s third-grade room in which she was greeted by her new students and former ones, too, who wanted to drop in and say hello.
“This just sets everything up for a great year,” Rodriquez said.
It was a steady stream of attendees at nearby Timber Ridge Elementary where Principal Stephani Grisham moved about, offering hellos, her share of hugs and helpful bits of information.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for. We’ve been nose to the grindstone, getting prepared, and, ultimately, this is what it’s for. When you start seeing the students, you can’t help but start to smile,” Grisham said. “We’re just excited, happy and ready to see what the new year brings.”
Trinity, a third-grader, sat patiently in her new room as her mom filled out all the necessary introductory paperwork.
While “recess” was the first word that came to Trinity’s mind as a part of school she’s looking forward to this year, she said math is her favorite subject because she enjoys adding and subtracting.
Asked whether she was excited for the third-grade, Trinity confidently said “Kind of.”
At Cavazos Elementary School, families stopped off in the front hallway to look over the posted class lists, then made their way to their classrooms.
“It’s an opportunity to welcome our parents, show them we are excited to meet their kids and excited for the year,” said Cavazos Principal Yanitzie Oquendo.
“Teachers work so hard all year and start fresh again at the beginning of the new year. They appreciate that moment to connect with parents just to get to know them and make a first impression.”
Middle schools and high schools hosted student readiness days earlier in the week.
Open house is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 for high schools and from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 11 for middle schools.
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