Fourth grade teacher Denise Esmond hangs up a picture at Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School in Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Teachers have spent the past few weeks getting prepared for the 2017-2018 school year. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

1. Tyler ISD students head back to school

Commuters will notice a lot more traffic this week.

More than 18,000 students and 2,600 teachers and staff return to campus on Monday for the first day of school at Tyler Independent School District. Teachers have spent the last few weeks making last minute preparations as they ready their classes for students.

For the district, 2017-18 will be the first year of a new chapter, as it prepares to break ground on total renovations of both high schools by the spring. The district also is deep in renovations of Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, which will continue as soon as football season ends.

 

Students: 18,139

Economically disadvantaged: 70.9 percent

At risk of dropping out: 62.1 percent

White: 21.7 percent

Hispanic: 45.7 percent

African-American: 29.3 percent

Asian: 1.3 percent

Native American: 0.3 percent

Employees

Total staff: 2,635 (not including temp/supplemental staff)

Teachers: 1,237

Average years of experience: 10 (including newly hired teachers with no experience)

Average teacher pay: $46,449.08 (including newly hired teachers with no experience)

Bachelor’s degree: 81%

Master’s: 8%

Doctorate: .3%

Paraprofessionals: 435

Auxiliary staff: 566

Administrative and professional staff: 397

Meals served in 2016-17

Lunch: 2,239,398 for the year or 12,723 average per day

Breakfast: 968,651 for the year or 5,503 average per day

After School Snacks: 92,160 per year

 

Noteworthy

91 percent of students participate in fine arts

2,000 students are enrolled in Career and Technology Education courses

2,750 student athletes

125 coaches

34 facilities at 3.4 million square feet

 

Back to School tips:

Ease into routines

Establish bedtimes and wakeup times

Set up a time and place for homework

Discuss classwork and areas they might be struggling

Read with your student

Limit television and computer time

Touch base with teachers

Discuss how the day went

Reach out to and meet your PTA leaders

Get plugged in with the school on social media

Consistency is key

Familiarize yourself with the school calendar

Every Tyler ISD campus has its own website. Many teachers also have one.