Hundreds of parents trying to find there way around Paly were caught last night wondering around the quad with confused looks on their faces.
Parents descended on Paly full force to meet teachers and new principal.

Back to School Night took place last night at 6:45 pm. The night started with a speech from Paly’s new principal, Scott Laurence. He talked about the completion of the new science building and was thankful to the parents for all of their support. Then he lightened the mood by joking with some of the parents for sitting so far away from the amphitheater. The speech was shortened by about two minutes to give the parents a head start so they wouldn’t be ‘late’ to class.

The parents of ninth and tenth graders began with a visit to their advisories, which was a new addition to this years back to school night. “It was nice to do advisory for freshman [parents], because this is new for everyone,” Laurence said. Advisors also liked the opportunity to meet with parents, and to explain what they would be doing throughout the year. Linda Hildrith, physical education teacher and freshman advisor liked the idea of adding advisory to Back to School Night, “Having advisory was very helpful, I didn’t think it was long enough though, I would have liked to get to know the names of the parents,” Hildrith said.

Each class lasted ten minutes long, (advisory 15) and teachers explained their courses and what they would be doing throughout in the year. Even with the time limitation, most parents find back to school night very beneficial. “I like it, I like to have the chance to see teachers, we don’t necessarily get the chance to talk. But it’s good to know who our daughter is talking about,” Emily Ridgeway, mother of junior Kiirsta Ridgeway, said. Many other parents feel the same way, including Al Yang, “It’s always nice to meet their teachers.”

While meeting teachers is the main reason why parents go to back to school night, Ridgeway’s husband, Steve, was happy to come to show support for the staff and school who he said “deserve to be supported for all the work they do teaching our children.”

Teachers also find back to school night a great opportunity to meet parents, and share their classroom goals. It gives the teachers a way to share their teacheing methods with parents as well as policies such as grades, projects and homework. (in case the students didn’t share this with their parents already.) “It’s really a great way to open communication between teachers and parents in hopes for an outstanding year.” Leigh Cambra, Home economics teacher said.

Student Activities director Joann Vaars experienced Back to School Night as a parent this year, her son Brian Vaars is a senior at Paly. “I’ve seen great teachers doing great things in classes, it has really been a big success.” Vaars said.