BY KARISSA MILLER
East Iredell Elementary School was filled with students and proud family members last week as the school hosted its annual Academic Day.
“We love welcoming our parents and family members into our school to meet with our students and celebrate their learning,” said Principal Jennifer Ribbeck.
East students proudly shared their leadership notebooks, discussed their academic data and the progress they have made toward their goals this year with their parents and other family members.
The leadership notebooks are an important tool that allows each student to take ownership and responsibility of their learning.
Jean Foster, who is the parent of Dual Immersion fifth-grader Hawkson, said that she looks forward to attending Academic Day each year. Hawkson set goals to score in the high 90s in both Reading and Math.
“It’s a pleasure to watch my child succeed, and it’s a pleasure watching his friends succeed. To see how much they learned and just the way they developed and the confidence they have in things — it’s a joy and pleasure to be a part of that,” Foster said.
Foster said that she regularly tells friends that her kids (one daughter that has already graduated from East) receive a “Montessori education in a public school” at East.
“I really appreciate the administration and the teachers and staff for what they pour into these kids. The leadership components that are shared with parents and guardians these days makes it clear that these educators are making a difference. I can’t sing the praises of the administration and teachers and staff enough. It’s a family there,” Foster said.
Beyond the academic data, the day was designed to build connections. Families participated in hands-on activities, which were designed “to create lasting memories” while experiencing the school’s unique culture of leadership firsthand.
“It was a day full of learning, leadership, and togetherness,” Ribbeck said. “We are so proud of our Cobras and deeply grateful to our families for partnering with us in their child’s success.”
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