The Jets celebrated the beginning of a new school year with a revamped Back to School Night on Aug. 23. Administrators brought back student volunteers to facilitate the event and hosted a Movie Night for elementary schoolers to keep them busy while their parents conversed with teachers. 

The planning process began long before the start of the school year. Mr. Jolly, the head of school, said, “After each Back to School Night event, I always send out a form to all of the elementary, middle, and high school teachers. We start our planning process from that.” The early preparation allowed the school to address specific needs and concerns raised by teachers and parents.

This year’s event closely mirrored last year’s, with only a few adjustments. Jolly said, “The process for the rest of the evening, such as the group sessions, was very similar to that of last year. The biggest changes were to the initial meet and greet and introductions in the gymnasium, as well as high school student helpers.”

Elementary school instructors presented formal showcases while middle and high school teachers conducted brief Q&A sessions with families specifically about their students or just the curriculum instead. To make their walks around the school easier, families received maps that led the way all around the school. QR codes posted at key locations provided additional guidance as well. 

Student volunteers facilitated the event – they acted as guides all around the school, and even as translators. Junior Sankeeth Udayakumar said, “We helped the students and teachers go around the school and translated English into Korean for them. It was a very memorable experience for me.” 

Parents who came expressed their contentment with the event. Fourth grader Jun Kwon’s mother said, “This event enabled me to check in with my child and I got to know what my child does in school better.” The night gave an opportunity for families to engage directly with their child’s education. 

Guardians also earned an explanation for updated school policies. Sophomore Jio Kim’s mother said, “I was able to understand reasons behind certain policies well.” 

The event fostered strong connections between staff and families. Parents gained valuable insights into their children’s education and grasped the reasons behind certain adjustments. This collaborative effort highlighted a commitment to create a supportive and inclusive environment for students and their families.

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Selina Son

Seventh grader Ivyanne Yoon assisted her mother through the night as translator. This ensured clear communication between her mother and Ms. Lualhati.