SAN ANTONIO – School isn't in session for Northside Independent School District yet, but teachers started prepping Monday with a pep rally. Then they broke up into groups of four to walk door-to-door to talk to families of students.
"New friends. Sixth grade. New beginnings," said Andres Delgado, a Northside student, when asked about her upcoming school year.
Deglado, 11, said he is excited about the new year. He said the annual Block Walk is important and Northside ISD administrators couldn't agree more.
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"For us, it’s always been about communication, building relationships and making connections with our community, our parents and our students," said Faustino Ortega, principal at Ross Middle School.
Ortega has been doing the walk since it started six years ago, and now families in the area rely on it.
"At first we didn't know what to expect when we visited families. Now we know what's to expect,” Ortega said. “They are waiting for us. They want to talk to us."
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And now the Block Walk is used for more than just classroom preparation.
"It can be a ‘I can’t find a uniform,’ or ‘I don't have food or they have situations,’" the principal said. "It's not school related, we try to guide them and get that information for them."
It's a day Ortega said is well worth it.
"We do see an increase in attendance, and we see an increase in the open house for all grade levels. We have seen an increase in that and part of it is communication," he said.
