The bell rings and Foothill’s hallways swarm with, not students, but parents, rushing to their next class. Maps out, they navigate their way around the school to find the next class on their child’s schedule. It’s Back-to-School Night at Foothill.
Flashback to eleven o’clock in the morning, and Wendi Butler, an Honors Physiology, AP Biology, and Medical Technology teacher at Foothill, plans her last minute to-do list for the evening. Fine tune the presentation, make a wish list, put out microscopes with slides, and put on comfortable shoes and some lipstick.
“I want to help parents understand the rigor of these classes so that they can support their kids,” Butler acknowledged. Her goal is to give parents a “realistic view of what’s happening.”
“Grades can change on a daily basis,” she said, especially in her rigorous courses.
Students prepared for the night as well. Junior Riki Schmitt, a member of ASB, sold FTHS apparel.
“Everyone has an opportunity for Foothill Pride,” she said enthusiastically.
Junior Emily Wages also attended the event with her parents.
“They want to be more involved, and I want them to come so they know what is going on in my life six hours a day,” Wages commented.
By five o’clock, the event is already underway. After a delicious barbecue, the school bell chimes and parents head to seventh period first. Periods one through six follow. During each period, teachers give a ten minute overview of the class curriculum and activities.
In between periods three and four, parents enjoyed a twenty-minute break and PFSO, the Parent Faculty Student Organization, served refreshments and treats.
During the break, parents had the opportunity to access information about different programs on campus. Some of the student leaders of FIRE, the Foothill Intervention, Reinforcement, and Enrichment Program, connected with parents of freshmen. Members of the Dragon Press gave parents insight into Foothill’s online newspaper as well.
Stephanie Livingston, mother of freshman Elliot O’Neill, is grateful for the opportunity that the FIRE program provides new students.
“Elliot likes being able to get caught up on homework, and help is always readily available,” Livingston said.
Livingston feels that Back-to-School Night is a crucial part of a parent’s understanding of their child’s education. “I want to a get a feeling for the classes and the overall environment.”
As the night comes to a close, parents left the busy school night with a snapshot of their student’s daily lives, from saying the pledge of allegiance during announcements to powerpoint presentations.
Photo: Wendi Butler briefs parents about student life in her classes at Foothill. Photo by Emma Huebner of The Foothill Dragon Press.
