The air in the Newport Middle School Cafeteria was charged with excitement and expectation Monday morning as approximately 200 teachers and administrators filled the space to receive last minute instructions for their day-long trek around the city to visit their students in their home environment before school starts.

"This is the third year we have done these home visits," said Newport Superintendent Kelly Middleton, who started the program here when he took over three years ago. "You know, everybody fights you the first year, and tells you it won't work for one reason or another, but last year went smoother, and this year we have the largest number of teachers ever.

And they are so fired up, they can't wait to get out there and visit their students."

Everyone knew the routine by now, and all the volunteers donned red T-shirts emblazoned with the words, "We're about kids" on the back, the motto for the district. Once the pep talks and instructions were over, lunch, provided by Pompilio's, was served, and the teams were off, walking the sidewalks of Newport with lists of addresses in hand to visit the 1600-plus students who will begin school in a few days.

Middle School counselor Julie Lovell shows the paperwork the teachers have to fill out when they visit the students.

"I feel that it establishes a relationship," said Esther Fatsy, who is the health teacher at the middle school. "We all have anywhere from 10 to 20 students to visit today."

Dustin Hinson, who teaches 8th grade math, agrees.

"It not only establishes a relationship, but it makes that initial visit a positive experience for the students," he said. "If we are proactive with a positive attitude, it sets a tone for the rest of the year."

Three tents were set up around the city with team leaders ready to help the two-person teams with any help they needed. It was also well stocked with water. Middleton informed the police of what was happening and how to spot the teams. Teams were told to visit, but to try not to tarry as they had to try to get to all their students. If the parents were not home, they were to put a door hanger on the knob, and the door hangers were printed in English and Spanish. Spanish-speaking teachers also went out with the teams.

"I feel the home visits are important so that our students feel connected to their school," said Julie Lovell, counselor at the Middle school. "It tells the parents, we care about your kids."

Jeanetta Stacy, Supervisor of Curriculum, has been organizing the home visits, and believes with her whole heart that it does good things.

"It makes a good first impression," she stated. "I think it builds a feeling of family." Middleton came across the home visit system when he was a school principal in another county, and then when he went to Mason County the district won a nationwide Magna award in 2008 for the home visit idea. He believes the home visits give teachers an insight into where the child comes from, and with the information parents can give the teachers as well as seeing their homes, the teachers are more likely to give the students an extra degree of understanding.

"It is a proven fact that kids act better for people that care," said Middleton. "Besides that, we have learned that children who are the recipients of home visits tend to have increased test scores and a decreased amount of disciplinary referrals. It is a good thing."

Dustin Hinson said they ask the parents what they as teachers can do to help their child be successful during the school year. Sarah Reinhart, who also teaches math to 7th and 8th graders believes it is important to talk to the parents at home.

"It shows that we care," she said. "We are all part of the community, and this is our way of reaching out."

Story & photos by Patricia A. Scheyer, RCN contributor

Top photo: Dustin Hinson, 8th grade math teacher at Newport, prepares to visit his students Monday