Students, teachers prepare for new academic year
Backpacks, binders, bedtimes are the theme of the week as students all over Lubbock head back for another year of school. (Originally published in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Backpacks, binders, bedtimes are the theme of the week as students all over Lubbock head back for another year of school.
For some, like 10th-grader Joseph Hubbard, the end of secondary school is almost near and this year, he said he was looking forward to meeting up with his friends.
“I’m excited for school to be back in,” the Coronado High School student said. “Summer gets old after awhile.”
For Cassandra Nash and her 4-year-old grandson, who will be starting preschool this year, the back to school routine is just beginning.
“I think he’s excited just to interact with other kids and stuff,” Nash said, “because he was going to a day care and he liked that so he’s going to another school and he’ll get to see other kids and teachers and all of that.”
Nash said she was happy that her grandson was starting school too.
“I’m happy that he’s able to be in school,” Nash said, “learning and socializing.”
Delma Guzman was also out on Sunday doing some last-minute back to school shopping for her son who will be going into the fourth-grade.
Guzman said she usually tries to avoid tax-free weekend since she only has one child.
“I think tax-free weekend is better for a family of more like three,” Guzman said, “because you get your money’s worth, but to me, with having one child it’s not worth me doing that.”
Guzman said the weekend before school brings new clothes and other changes for her family, like bedtimes. “That’s something we have to get back on to,” Guzman said, “going to bed at 8:30 instead of like one in the morning. That’s a big change and that’s the main concern.”
Nonetheless, Guzman said although her son is not, she’s ready for the school year.
“I’m excited for summer to be over,” Guzman said laughing. “I’m ready for school.”
Shirethia Chase, a third-grade teacher at Rise Elementary, said the beginning of this school year has brought new challenges for teachers.
“There’s a new test this year,” Chase said, “so we’re just in preparation for the new STAAR test.”
STAAR stands for State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills or TAKS test this year.
Chase said the main goal for her class of 23 students this year is to branch out and, of course, learn.
“I set goals for my classroom and we also have some new technology that we’re using this year so I’m getting used to that,” Chase said.
“Overall, I just hope to have a vigorous class and an open-minded class that is ready to learn.”