Welcome to Panther Tales: Dr. Bob Goes Back to School. I’m Bob Leonard. School started last Thursday, and nature gave us a warm welcome. It was 82 degrees when school started, and by late afternoon we broke the 100-degree mark. I started the day at Northstar Elementary, where staff were trying their best to keep the school cool.
Each classroom has one or more window air conditioning units, but the hallways and gym/lunchroom don’t. I asked Principal John Keitges if he was looking forward to the new school year:
Every year, I'm super excited for those kids to come back. Always look forward to seeing them. You know, 350 kids, coming through the doors, smiling, laughing. Excited to be back. And honestly, probably 98% of them want to be here and enjoy being here. So it's good to see that. They're all giving each other hugs. Maybe not as much today it's a little sweaty but they definitely enjoy seeing each other and seeing the staff. I love being back—getting things going.
We talked about the importance of technology for the kids, and how they would deal with the heat. Since this week's highs are going to get into the 90’s, some of these accommodations might have to be made this week as well.
They are encouraging kids not to run as much and to stay hydrated. Recess was planned for indoors and lunches were cold sandwiches, veggies, fruit, and milk. Lunches were eaten in the classrooms. Here is our interview:
Logan stopped by to give Mr. Keitges a hug, and tell us how happy he is to be back in school, and that he likes his new teacher!
It was as busy as it could be at West Elementary. It was the beginning of school photo time, and classes were waiting patiently for their turn.
This was fun! Watching students finding their best Panther Paths to avoid traffic jams! Principal Amy Taylor tells me the kids are doing their Panther Best:
Mr. Keefer and Mr. McNeill chatted during lunch duty.
Mr. Roozeboom is entering his 24th year of teaching, and tells me about the differences between teaching 6th graders and 8th graders. He also has some advice for other teachers—to never forget the difference that you can make in the lives of those you teach. Here is our interview:
Mr. McBride, the Middle School Band teacher took rollcall and checked to make sure students had instruments and music.
And down the hall music and dancing broke out!
I spoke with Assistant Principal Sandy about what it feels like to start a new school year:
He tells me that while it is a little exhausting the first few days of school, things always settle down.
Perhaps the most “entertaining” moment was when Knoxville Police Chief Aaron Fuller dropped off School Resource Officer Kyle Keller for his first day of school!
Superintendent Pearson asked me to remind readers about the upcoming Knoxville Community School District Leadership Academy. It will be starting this Wednesday, August 30th, running four Wednesday evenings in a row from 6 to 8 p.m. She says that it’s for anyone who wants to know more about the district, and she especially recommends it for anyone who plans to run for the school board. Please contact the district office for more information at 641-842-6551 or district.admin@kcsd.k12.ia.us.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Panther Tales: Dr. Bob Goes Back to School. You will find it in your inbox early every Monday morning. If you enjoyed it, please share and encourage others to subscribe. Please consider being a paid subscriber. All proceeds go into the student activity fund. There are two subscription options. One is as an individual member, which is an investment of $5.00 a month or $50 per year. If you want to be a founding member, it’s a tax-deductible investment of $250 per year, and should you choose, we will recognize you at the bottom of every post for your donation. Please remember—it’s not a cost. It’s an investment. In our kids and grandkids, in Knoxville, and in our future.