Parents of Community High School students filled the hallways and classrooms yesterday evening, Sept. 17, during Capsule Night as they followed their student’s schedules. During Capsule Night, parents go classroom to classroom meeting the teachers and learning about each of their child’s courses for ten minutes each. This night provides CHS parents with the opportunity to form connections with their child’s teachers and get a closer look at what their child is doing at school.
“I think the teachers are always amazing here,” said Ali Sly, CHS parent. “[The teachers are] very dedicated and passionate because they love what they teach, and it shows even when they’re talking to the parents.”
Sly believes that the teachers at CHS have provided a great space for her daughter, Payton, to thrive.
“This year, [Payton] has Tracy Anderson again,” Sly said. “We love her. She’s probably one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever come across.”
Other teachers and staff have made an impact on Sly’s daughter, including Jesse Richmond, whom Payton has had for math for several years and Robert Lavelanet.
“Jesse’s always willing to do a little extra work after school if she needs assistance,” Sly said. “And Robert was awesome last year. We’re so happy that he was able to come back again this year.”
Courtney Kiley, FOS teacher and Forum leader at CHS, had a great time meeting the parents of her students.
“It’s always nice to see families and talk to people about our classes,” Kiley said. “It’s one of those nights where afterwards you just feel good about your job.”
During the blocks when she teaches FOS, Kiley did a number of things to introduce each course. She hands out her class syllabus and goes over the big themes for the year. In FOS 1, Kiley showed families pictures of their kids in the creek while they made observations. This activity is unique to CHS, and Kiley wants to highlight that. She briefly goes over grading and explaining what FOS actually is because it’s a different curriculum than other AAPS high schools.
As a Forum leader, Kiley met with her forumettes’ parents for 30 minutes instead of ten. During that time, Kiley explained the importance of Forum and making connections, along with what is done during Forum.
“As a forum leader, the forum part is the most important 25 minutes of the night,” Kiley said. “I tell these parents what we do in Forum and why Forum is important. I explain that there’s an adult here looking out for their kid.”
Besides meeting teachers, parents were encouraged to stop in the library during their free block. Student volunteers and staff sat behind tables filled with information about topics ranging from the PTO to a guide on Schoology and PowerSchool.
The Communicator, CHS’s student journalism publication, set up a vibrant table with all things journalism. They had many previous print magazine editions, a tri-fold poster with information about how to purchase a yearbook, papers to sign up to be a sponsor of the publication and fliers advertising a fundraiser coming up for the publication.
Capsule Night not only gives parents the opportunity to walk the halls of CHS, but also allows them to learn more about the school and its inner workings.
