Three Hundred Parents and Children Attend Back to School Night at Nicholas Orem Middle School

After the middle school bell rings, Iris Hardie of Lewisdale grabs her purse, exits the classroom and heads towards her daughter's second period class.

As part of Back to School Night on Sept.16, parents of children attending Nicholas Orem Middle School walked through their child's entire class schedule yesterday night meeting teachers and understanding the grueling day that their son or daughter endures. 

The parents spent 15 minutes in each classroom learning about the curriculum and what is expected of their child for that class.

"We want parents to experience what their children experiences everyday, get to know the teachers and know what is expected of their children," said the school's principal Richard Jackson. "We also want to develop in parents simple ways to encourage and help their children be successful. We need support from parents to do this."

Hardie's eighth-grade daughter has been attending the middle school since sixth-grade. Every year Hardie attends Back to School Night to learn about her daughter's classes and the changes for the upcoming year, which include incorporating an advanced note-taking system for students.

"Nothing has changed about Back to School Night this year," Hardie said. "We really like the teachers and we are happy about the structure of the school."

The event began at 6 p.m. with 300 students and their parents listening attentively to school administrators in the cafeteria. School staff was introduced and parents were encouraged to be part of the school's lagging Parent Teacher Association, which has been functioning poorly in the past three years. Around 6:30, students and parents headed to their child's first period class. The event lasted until 8:15 p.m. with parents completing their child's full day schedule.

Eighth-grade science teacher Jamie Dawson is in his first year at the middle school and his first time attending the event. Teachers were required to attend Back to School Night. About a third of Dawson's students showed up for the event this year and his experience with parents and school administration thus far has been very positive.

"Parents seem very supportive and interested in what their child is learning," Dawson said. "The school administration and principal Jackson have done a good job helping teachers grow. Principal Jackson does not play a disciplinary role, but he acts as a structural leader to help teachers improve the way they teach."

Kenneth Belton's daughter is in her first year at Nicholas Orem Middle School. Having just attended Back to School Night, Belton would like to see more men participate next year.

"There are a lot of empty seats," said Belton. "I wish more parents would attend this event, especially men. Males should want to be role models for their children and be active in their child's schools."

As for the students, walking through their class schedule again from start to finish is not easy. Hardie's daughter Jennifer attended softball practice prior to the event and had only one thing to say about Back to School Night.

"I want to go to bed and sleep until dawn," she said.

As for her mother, she seemed ready to take on another class period.