Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

School doors open wide today for Tyler ISD students to return to class, and the superintendent says the school district is ready for their arrival.

Elementary schools begin the day at 8 a.m. and end at 3 p.m., while middle schools start at 8:40 a.m. and conclude at 3:40 p.m. and high school times are 8:55 a.m. to 3:55 p.m.

"We're ready. We're excited about it," TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid said. "I think there's a lot of excitement among our teaching staff. They're ready, and they've been working all summer trying to be prepared."

The new school year brings with it some new expectations.

Teachers spent two days this summer being trained on the 5E model of instruction and a new online curriculum tool called CSCOPE, both aimed at helping boost the level of instruction in TISD classrooms this school year.

The 5E model of teaching is the new standard at TISD designed to engage students more in learning and help them think on a higher level. That model is embedded within the new CSCOPE online curriculum.

The five Es are engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate.

"Our primary concern is that we love and take care of our kids," Reid said. "This year what's maybe a little bit different in terms of expectations is that we're going to take our students to a little deeper level with their education and with their understanding."

While the district spent the summer training teachers on the 5E model and CSCOPE, Kim Tunnell, director of curriculum and instruction at TISD, said the real work starts Monday as the training is put to use in the classroom and the district offers support to teachers.

"I am very excited about the year because I know we've got the right people in place," Ms. Tunnell said. "We've got supportive families and great kids coming to us. The support mechanisms and resources are in place to really take flight."

Reid said, "We're really hoping to see even more engaging learning taking place. It's really about helping our kids have not only a quality learning experience but one that there's enjoyment with as well."

The superintendent said that TISD leadership team and central staff members will be out helping to make sure things are going smoothly on the first day of school.

"We're ready and excited and look forward to getting the year kicked off and encourage the parents to work with us," he said. "I know our teachers are going to work hard to communicate with the parents and we ask parents to do the same."