BY KARISSA MILLER
East Iredell Elementary School parents were welcomed Thursday into the classroom to observe their children’s current learning activities and projects during Academic Day.
The event gives family members the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the school’s curriculum and understand students’ progress.
“It’s just been an amazing day. Staff and students work so hard every day. This is one of the days throughout the year that we get to showcase all of the wonderful things that are happening at East. I’m just so proud of all of our students,” said Principal Jennifer Ribbeck.
Thomas and Liz Setser have two children enrolled in East’s Spanish dual immersion language program, where students receive academic instruction in both Spanish and in English.
DI teachers emphasize that the goal of language learning isn’t to learn some Spanish, but to become fluent in both Spanish and English.
“We saw the impact it had on our nieces and nephews academically and socially,” Thomas explained.
“The ability to communicate with more people around you is a good thing. It will set them up for success in the future,” Liz added.
The Setser family said that they are proud of their children’s progress. While visiting with their son Mack in his classroom, he gave a slideshow presentation on his iPad on the book “Number the Stars” to his parents and grandparents.
“I’m amazed at how well he can read and comprehend the book about a Nazi invasion of the Jewish people. It was pretty heavy for fifth grade. He did it in Spanish and English and understood the story completely,” said grandma Kim Setser.
His other grandma Emily Baker said that all five of her grandchildren have been through the DI program at East. She currently has two grandchildren at Statesville High.
“It’s opened their mind culturally and made them more well-rounded. It’s also given them exposure to diversity and a global perspective,” Baker said.
Liz agreed and said she also likes that East is a Leader in Me school. That program has equipped her son Mack with leadership and life skills in a safe learning environment.
“Leader in Me allows him to take personal ownership of what he is learning,” she explained. “It’s a great program — he writes a personal statement and tracks his goals and progress throughout the year.”
Academic Day is also a time for parents to celebrate the holiday season with their children.
In teacher Ashley Porter’s classroom, second-grade parents celebrated by doing a hands-on food decorating activity.
Student Kambrie Aken, 7, was smiling and talking with friends as she decorated her ice cream cone with green frosting.
“It takes everybody to grow a child socially and academically. We couldn’t do it without our parents,” she said.
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