By: Sabrina Ahmed
sahmed@klkntv.com
Enrollment is up, Kloefkorn Elementary is opening and there will be loads of new faces in administration and teaching staff.
The Principal of the newly renovated Hartley Elementary says parents and students will see improvements. "They can expect that they will receive the same great education that they've received in the past, they can expect to come in and be able to take advantage of all the new facilities that they have," said Principal of Hartley, Jeff Rust
Teachers say they've spent 12-hour days getting ready for the big return, some say they might be more excited than the kids. All the newness still means it's time to get down to business. "It's very important that parents take involvement in their children's learning because it really helps their academic success in the classroom," said kindergarten teacher, Jill Allen.
But that's not just for kindergarten students, like the ones Jill Allen will see tomorrow. Parents interacting with school work is necessary across the board. The LPS Superintendent says that's one thing he can't stress enough to parents.
"The greatest gift that they can give us is to, each night, when their child comes home, have a conversation. What did you learn today? How can they help? We have kids for about 6.5 hours a day. That's all we have for instruction and I can tell you, to be proficient today, you need nine or ten," said LPS Superintendent, Dr. Steve Joel.
As for the School Board's goal this year, they want to see those kids who don't think they can do it, succeed.
"The toughest work is in front of us. Kids that are supposed to do well here, do well. Now it's the kids that project as not being very successful, how do we change the culture for them so that they can be successful?"
Officials say, on the largest scale, LPS is doing well and that means good things for the city. They say in order to have a successful and growing business environment, a city must have strong public schools.
