Parents navigated classrooms, took notes on syllabi and connected with teachers at the annual Back-to-School Night on Aug. 28.
The evening began with a Parent Fair on the quad where clubs, student organizations, programs and student musicians showcased their work. Following this, parents had the opportunity to get to know their students’ teachers and learn more about classes .
English teacher Melissa Dawn said she values the night as an opportunity to connect on a personal level with her students’ parents.
“More than just understanding my approach to teaching and learning, Back-to-School Night allows parents to meet teachers as humans and see their energy, their vibe and what they’re about,” Dawn said. “To me, that matters even more.”
Principal Brent Kline agrees and also said he sees the event as a celebration of the Paly community.
“It builds connection, and it’s a great avenue for parents to connect with other parents and also learn about what’s happening in the classrooms,” Kline said. “I want families to feel welcomed, and we want to ensure that to our best ability we are including students in our work.”
Some parents arrived excited, while others came nervous about the year ahead. Freshman parent Jimmy Kui said he is optimistic about his daughter’s transition to high school.
“I suspect that there can be a big change in the amount of work from middle school to high school, but I hope that (she) can enjoy and find what’s best for herself,” Kui said.
Some students also attended the event, taking on various roles whether that be performing music on the quad or helping organize the event.
Junior class president Kai Bunger-Tang said he felt proud to represent Paly.
“I think people at Paly in general are super cool.” Bunger-Tang said. “Everyone’s very welcoming, making it easy to expand on your interests.”
Although the event lasts just a few hours, Kline said the sense of community it creates lasts far longer.
He said, “When we’ve done it, it’s been remarkable to see how everyone interacts with one another.”
