Teachers and staff from a local elementary school took part in a unique annual tradition last week to get students pumped up for the new academic year.
Each year Richard J. Lee Elementary School of Coppell Independent School District takes the fun and camaraderie on the road in what is playfully refers to as the “RJL Roadshow.”
Teachers and staff jump onto a school bus each year and make several stops to meet their students where they live.
“Our RJL Roadshow was on a mission to bring families and educators together, spreading love and fostering strong connections. Goal accomplished!” read a Facebook post from the school.
Our RJL Roadshow was on a mission to bring families and educators together, spreading love and fostering strong connections. Goal accomplished! #rjlyear10 #rj10ve pic.twitter.com/fazeMkB240
— Richard J. Lee Elementary (@NetZeroLee) August 3, 2023
Over a dozen stops were made this year, allowing teachers to see what students’ home life is like and bond with their families.
“It gives teachers a good insight to the home life or family dynamics,” explained Samira Khan, an instructional coach at RJL, according to CBS News Texas. “We have children whose grandparents are out there too. It’s heartwarming to see how invested our families are in our school and how invested our teachers are in their community.”
It can also help relieve children’s nerves and make their first day of class a positive experience.
“For these kids to come and see their teachers from last year and meet their teacher for next year, I think that helps get everyone excited and ready for the new school year,” RJL’s principal, Chantel Kastrounis, told CBS News Texas.
As previously covered in The Dallas Express, a recent survey from EdWeek Research Center found that student misbehavior in the classroom is a growing problem, with poor morale and a lack of motivation cited as root causes by educators.
Creating an event like the RJL Roadshow to drum up enthusiasm is viewed favorably by RJL parents like Ruchika Arora.
“It’s really nice,” Arora, whose son is a third grader, told CBS News Texas. “We get to know them and the kids are really excited to see them before the actual school starts.”
When the new term kicks off on August 15, RJL will mark a significant milestone — its 10th anniversary.
The elementary school is considered to be one of Texas’ top 100, according to U.S. News and World Report.
On the 2021-22 STAAR exams, 77% of students scored at grade level or above. This is far better than Dallas ISD, which saw only 41% of students scoring at grade level on STAAR exams that school year.
