By Jennifer Wimmer
South Hancock Elementary School will take a hands-on approach to welcoming students back for the 2026-27 school year, with staff planning community visits on Aug. 10 aimed at strengthening school-family bonds before classes begin.
Principal Jennifer Howe said the effort focuses on building relationships early and helping students feel valued ahead of the first day of school. Staff members will travel throughout the school’s attendance area to greet students at their homes and, in many cases, deliver small welcome-back gifts.
“We truly feel like South Hancock is one big family, and we want to take the opportunity to personally welcome back our students where they live and make them feel special before we start,” Howe said. “We are excited to welcome our students back to school for the 2026-27 school year.”
The visits are part of a broader emphasis on supporting the whole child; an approach that staff members have continued to develop through professional learning. She said those efforts spotlight the importance of connecting with students beyond academics and understanding their individual needs.
South Hancock Elementary expects to reach all its students through the initiative, which includes approximately 225 children. Howe said each family will be contacted in some way, whether through a face-to-face visit or by receiving a small item left at the home.
“Our staff feel that it is a great gift to play a role in each child’s education,” Howe added.
The principal said similar outreach efforts have proven valuable in the past, giving staff better insight into students’ lives while also helping build trust with families. The experience, she said, benefits both students and educators, while also allowing staff to begin the school year with a shared, positive experience.
To carry out the visits, South Hancock staff will be divided into teams and travel along bus routes throughout the district. Teams will stop at homes along those routes to greet students, with adjustments made for accessibility. Students who live outside the district will be visited by a separate group using a school van.
If families are not home at the time of the visit, staff will leave welcome-back items at the residence or in mailboxes when appropriate. Families will receive a general timeframe in advance, with final details to be shared through Facebook, IC Messenger and The Hancock Clarion.
“These visits are all about making connections with our students, families and staff,” Howe said. “We want our families to always know that we take pride in the fact that they have chosen South Hancock to educate and support their children.”
