Photo By Samantha Harms | Dr. Jo Ann Fey, Killeen Independent School District's superintendent, sits with...... read more read more
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FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The first day of school occurred Aug. 14, 2024, across the Fort Cavazos community, with thousands of students walking into the doors of Killeen Independent School District schools.
This is an annual rite of passage, with anticipation and nerves filling the air for the students, but it isn’t just the students who look forward to this day.
“I always say when the teachers come back, it’s like this sense of relief,” said Dr. Jo Ann Fey, KISD’s superintendent. “But when the students come back into our classrooms, it’s like all the work that we did all summer long, all of our planning and all of the leaders at the campuses and all their planning, … it’s the start button.
“And then to see the journey of the year and how the things that we plan will go is always fascinating,” she continued. “And I just always look forward to seeing the kids.”
Fey shared her excitement about the first day of school with the crew of the Great Big Podcast, where she also took the opportunity to highlight changes across the district and to share reminders about the upcoming school year.
“The biggest thing that we’re launching this year is a program called ‘Capturing Kids’ Hearts,’” Fey said. “It’s a program that is designed to build relational capacity, not only in the system but across the system. In particular, how are we going to build relationships with our students.
“And an unintended piece that comes out of that is, how do we build relational capacity with each other,” she added. “And I think when adults can learn how to do that, and demonstrate and model that for kids is super awesome.”
The program is district-wide, with specific training occurring at every level from bus drivers to principals.
For teachers, they will receive a two-day training on how to set up a classroom, how to encourage students to have a voice in their learning, etc.
“We serve kids, and we serve them academically so that they can have a quality of life when they leave us,” Fey explained. “And all of that starts with relationships, and it always has and it always will.”
While some things are changing within the district, the safety reminders stay the same.
“First thing is there are school zones,” Fey said when asked about what people should remember about the safety of children going to school. “Slow down. We can do everything in our power to make sure that kids are in the right place, but there’s always going to be someone that gets out of place. And around specifically with traffic, slow down.
“I would say in the first couple of weeks, provide some grace for the district,” she continued. “We’re learning new routes, our buses are learning new routes, kids don’t know when they’re supposed to get off. … So, we want some grace and we will hopefully get it right and things will settle down in a couple of weeks.”
Additionally, Fey said people should be mindful of children going on and off buses, as well as pay attention to stop signs and flashing lights.
When asked what Fey would have to say to the children who just started school, she shared she’s thought a lot about that question, wondering what she would want to know if she were a child again. When it came down to it, she realized she wants every child to know that education matters, and they should take every advantage they can while in school.
“Come to school every day, come ready to learn — even on the bad days,” Fey said. “We all have them, but we still want you here even on your bad days.
And we want you to enjoy your school experience. That’s my hope for the kids.”
To listen to the full audio podcast episode, visit greatbigpodcast.buzzsprout.com.
To watch the full episode on Fort Cavazos’ YouTube channel, visit youtube.com/@fortcavazosarmy.
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2024 15:27 |
| Story ID: | 488226 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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