Ties that bind at Terrell Elementary
The family ties are tight and strong at Terrell Elementary school, where students, staff, teachers, families and community partners work hand-in-hand to ensure that all students find positive pathways to lifelong success.
According to Principal Amy Neidert, those ties are paying big dividends for students, as evidenced by State Accountability data: Terrell earned an overall B rating for encouraging high academic achievement and for achieving appropriate academic growth and progress for Terrell’s students. The data also recognized Terrell for performing exceptionally well in the following categories: Post-Secondary Readiness, Top 25% Comparative Closing the Gaps; and Academic Achievement in Mathematics.
“In addition to the creative learning environments that our teachers provide for our students each day, we are also privileged to live in a generous community that actively participates in our schools with an excitement that motivates and inspires all of us,” said Neidert. “Our students are constantly immersed in hands-on exploration and discovery through field trips to local farms, businesses, science camps, fine arts venues and museums, thanks to very generous local foundations and service organizations.
“Our local firefighters and police officers as well as many area business owners and professionals visit our classrooms each year to show our students how hard work in school pays off down the road, when they become adults and enter college and the workforce.”
Neidert also pointed to family involvement as another key ingredient to long-term success for Terrell students.
“So many wonderful things happen when we work together…which is why we also host a lot of family-friendly events throughout the year, like our recent Fall Festival,” said Neidert. “Other upcoming family activities include our annual Night with Santa and our Family Picnic in the spring. We also host Book Fairs, a fun Book Character Day, and Mother-Son and Father-Daughter events that are always so special and meaningful.
“Confidence and self-esteem building; strong bonds between families and educators; community support from people who care; a thirst for knowledge; words of encouragement and praise; a love for learning that lasts a lifetime; exceptional study and work habits; pride in jobs well done. These are just a few of the life-changing things that happen when we all work together for the greater good of each and every student.”
Denison firefighters visit Terrell Elementary school every year to give students an up-close and personal look into the lives of firefighters and the role they play in keeping Denison residents safe.
Terrell students take a short break from learning about life on a pumpkin farm to enjoy a silly and fun photo op surrounded by pumpkins.
Terrell’s annual Fall Festival offered a special time for bonding among students, staff, teachers and families as well as a fun opportunity for some campus trick-or-treating. “So many wonderful things happen when we work together…which is why we also host various family-friendly events throughout the year,” said Terrell Principal Amy Neidert.
Denison Police officers shared lunch and participated in lively discussions with Terrell students during a recent visit to the elementary campus. “In addition to the creative learning environments that our teachers provide for our students each day, we are also privileged to live in a generous community that actively participates in our schools with an excitement that motivates and inspires all of us,” said Terrell Principal Amy Neidert.
Terrell students recently celebrated the arrival of fall by learning everything about apples, including how to make delicious applesauce.
