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Second grader Abigail Israel worked on a STEM project at Snyder Primary School’s Habit Hero Camp. Students were asked to build a house that the Big Bad Wolf could not blow down.
The first school bell will ring at Hermleigh and Snyder schools Monday morning, but before the new year starts, campus principals have important information to share.
“The beginning of a new school year is always exciting, not only for students but for teachers, as well,” Snyder Primary School Principal Canita Rhodes said. “Our teachers have been at school since Aug. 4 and have worked continuously to get their classrooms ready and learn new instructional strategies to give students every opportunity to be successful.”
There are currently 917 students enrolled at the primary school and all students and parents should have already met with their teacher and completed their online forms.
On Monday morning, the school doors will open at 7:30 a.m. Each grade level’s start and end times are as follows: pre-kindergarten from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., kindergarten from 7:50 a.m. to 3 p.m. and first through third grades from 7:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
“Parking is not permitted in the drop off lanes,” Rhodes said. “Give yourself ample time to park in a parking lot if you plan to walk your student into school.”
For additional information, parents may read the handbook online at primary.snyderisd.net.
Also making changes this year is Snyder Intermediate School.
“Our biggest change this year is the new start and end times,” Principal Jerry Russell said. “The first tardy bell will ring at 7:50 a.m. and school will release at 3:20 p.m.”
New drop-off lanes have been repainted at the school.
“We have two drop off lanes, and there will be no parking in the far east lane (third lane) closest to El Paso (Ave.),” Russell said.
There are about 195 students registered for fourth grade and about 198 registered for fifth grade.
“In a positive environment, we want to see academic success,” Russell said.
Students will spend their first day getting acclimated to the building. Over the summer, changes were made, including new carpet and painted lockers, which the community is encouraged to stop by and see.
At Snyder Junior High School, doors will open at 7:30 a.m., and the tardy bell will ring at 8:10 a.m.
“We will be passing out schedules on the first day,” Principal Rebecca Mebane said. “Schedules will be sorted by grade level and last name. Sixth graders can pick up their schedules by the cafeteria and seventh and eighth graders will be by the gym.”
There are about 600 students enrolled this year, and they will all have an opportunity to talk about procedures and policies on the first day.
“We’ve felt a feeling of purpose this year,” Mebane said.
Students will receive binders this year complete with planners to help them be organized, manage their time well and learn how to study.
“We want to share with students and parents the importance of communicating with us,” Mebane said. “Don’t ever feel like you can’t come talk to us. If we don’t know something, we can’t help.”
Changes are also being made at Snyder High School, which has about 740 students enrolled.
“One thing we’re changing up is we’ll meet in the auditorium (on the first day) at 8 a.m. for an all-school assembly,” Principal Janell Martin said. “Students will get their schedules following the assembly.”
For students driving to campus, there will be no student parking on Austin Ave. Designated parking for students includes seniors in the parking lot north of Worsham Auditorium, juniors in the parking lot north of Tiger Stadium and sophomores in the southwest parking lot behind the athletic facilities. Bus drop-off will also be in the sophomore parking lot this year.
The high school’s theme this year is “Rising up to the R.O.A.R.S.,” which stands for “Realizing opportunities and reaching success.”
“We have a lot of programs and opportunities for our students to be successful in high school and in life after high school,” Martin said. “We’re looking forward to getting the new year started, and we welcome the community to support our students in all of their endeavors.”
Along with Snyder ISD, Snyder Christian School is gearing up for a new year.
“We’re hoping to have another good year like last year,” Principal Dr. Jim Palmer said. “If we can match that, if not do better, then we’ll have an excellent year.”
There are 39 students at the Christian school this year, but according to Jim Palmer, they are still accepting applications.
“There is a max of 10 students in each class,” Jim Palmer said. “The pre-k is full, and there are seven in the kindergarten, but it’s not too late to register a student for any grade but pre-k — even on Monday.”
Palmer emphasized the school’s dedication to experiential learning.
“We try to broaden the students’ horizons so they see more than text books,” he said.
In Hermleigh, the first day of school will include optional parent involvement.
“On the first day of school, parents can bring their kiddos to their classes and stay for our traditional kindergarten introduction,” Hermleigh Principal Amber Palmer said. “This year we will do this in the cafetorium instead of the gym.”
Hermleigh ISD has about 252 students enrolled this year, and Palmer said she is looking forward to what the year has to offer.
“I’m looking forward to noticeable changes in student achievement because of our amazing teachers and staff who have worked hard to ensure that every student succeeds,” Palmer said. “We are certainly blessed beyond measure.”