From homework to popsicles: Unit 5 teachers greet with students outside of the classroom

Posted on August 7, 2019
More than 20 Unit 5 teachers from Glenn Elementary School handed out popsicles and books to students on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

 

By Blake Haas

NORMAL – Elementary students across the Unit 5 school district had a chance to meet their teachers before classes started, but this time in a different environment.

For the third year in a row, Unit 5 teachers from Glenn Elementary School traveled by bus to greet students with popsicles and books. Glenn Elementary School Principal Cari Ostier said this allows teachers to learn more about the students and the neighborhood the students grow up in.

“We like to get our staff out, first off it is team-building with our staff, but then we also get to see the kiddos in the summer and greet them,” said Ostier on one of five stops at Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary. “We have some new staff so they’re able to meet up with our parents and families, and also the staff gets to see where the students come from and see their neighborhoods.”

Oister added that for the students, it takes off an extra sense of nervousness before coming into the classroom.

“I think they (students) love it because a lot of kids just think it’s amazing when they see their teachers outside of school,” said Oister. “The kids do love it.”

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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