The much anticipated open house for the 2011-2012 school year will occur on September 1 and is an opportunity for parents to learn more about their child’s school. The open house will begin with a parent “Powwow” at 5:00 where parents can learn more about new systems for the school year such as the new Skyward grading and attendance system and changes to the grading system for students. Freshman Terry Greenwald said, “I am really interested in seeing what the Skyward system is about and hope my parents can get some information.” 

Then, a presentation by many clubs will be in the old gymnasium. Many clubs will set up stalls where parents and students alike can ask questions about what clubs do during the school year and what a student can expect if he or she joins a club.

Soon afterward, at 6:00 parents will be led to the KWC auditorium for a short performance by the Seminole High School Jazz Chiefs, famed around Central Florida for their classy and extremely proficient performance of many famous Jazz pieces. They will also be treated to a short speech by Principal Mike Gaudreau about what they can expect for the remainder of open house.

Then, at 6:30, the parents will be able to experience the encapsulated life of the average high schooler. They will be able to move from class to class in the schedule that each student follows with the same six minutes to get to class that so many students complain about. Junior Kristine Andros said, “It will be quite funny to see our parents try to get from class to class in six minutes when some of us [students] can’t even do it.” Many teachers have prepared a presentation or at least some kind of talk that they will give parents to explain what each teacher plans to do for the year. Potential topics from teachers include going over the class syllabus, class expectations, and questions from parents for the teachers. Some teachers even give parents sample questions from tests given to students or a short quiz that can befuddle many parents unused to the daily grind of school. Sophomore Carlos Slaton shared his memory from last year, “My English teacher gave my parents a practice quiz that we took and they literally got a zero percent. It was pretty hilarious.”

Open house is certainly an important event for the school year because it provides such a wealth of information for both parents and students alike. It should certainly be attended by all parents who can do so and it will also most certainly be an enjoyable evening for teachers, parents, and students alike.