Prosper ISD teachers visit students before start of school year

PROSPER, Texas - As students get ready for school in the upcoming weeks, one North Texas middle school decided to get kids acquainted in a different way.

Teachers from Rogers Middle School in Prosper went door-to-door to welcome incoming sixth graders. As the city grows, teachers wanted to do something to keep that small town, close knit community feel. They think this will help their students succeed.

"I think this is kind of one thing where they can feel more like they are part of Rogers,” said middle school teacher Taylor Mersmann.

It's the first year the school has done this. Each teacher visited ten houses, totaling to 481 homes.

"We've had several people who are like, 'Oh my gosh! We took off work for this! We're so excited,’” teacher Dianna High said.

School administrators sent out an email ahead of time to let parents know teachers would be dropping by Monday with t-shirts to pass out.

Marie Chacon-Curll is one of the parents who took a half day at work so she could see be home for the special visit.

“When I got the email and I thought, 'They're going to come over to the house? I've got to be there and see what it's about,’” she recalled. “I feel like they're just trying to make her feel comfortable. It's hard to go into a new school."

It impressed Cadence Chacon-Curll, a sixth grader.

“I might know someone there. And if I need help, I can ask one of them. I already met them. I know them,” she said.

The teachers say it’s a great way to get to know students beyond the classroom at such a formative age.

"That way, we connect a little bit more,” High said. “And when we get to harder things in the classroom, they're at ease to do the things we need them to do."

It is the same school district whose superintendent writes a note to each graduating senior, and also leaves personal notes on classroom dry erase boards.

Prosper ISD goes back to school on Monday.