Parents Go Back to School

Amid cloudy skies and drizzling rain, a few hundred parents and students attended Back to School Night at Perry Hall High School on Thursday, Sept. 16.

"They look a lot like lost freshmen," said Danny Skelton, 29, who teaches 12th grade British literature. "They all look a little anxious, like they don't want to be late for class."

Parents, clutching copies of class schedules, attended abbreviated versions of their children's school day—seven 10-minute periods, with five minutes of travel time between each one.

In front of each group of parents, some accompanied by their children, teachers explained each class's basic syllabus, including attendance policies and anticipated homework requirements.

Tim Haley, 42, a self-employed Perry Hall resident, attended because he wanted to meet all of his son's new teachers. His son is a freshman.

"It's been a lot of fun. His teachers all seem very upbeat, interesting and knowledgeable," he said.

Randi Winters, 48, who lives in Perry Hall, attended with her daughter. "It's nice to get to know some of the people she always talks about," she said.

Her daughter, Erin Winters, a 15-year-old junior, said she didn't mind spending the evening at school with her mother. "It's a lot like reliving the syllabus. It's interesting," she said. 

Principal George Roberts said that parents should make Back to School Night a priority for children of all grade levels, from kindergarten to senior year.

"Everyone who comes leaves feeling like they've accomplished something," he said.  "It helps parents stay involved in their children's lives at a time when they're becoming more independent and making more of their own decisions."