On Thursday, Sept. 5, at 5:30 p.m., the annual Back to School Night (BTSN) opened in the gym with varsity cheer and Advanced Performance Workshop (APW) performances. With speeches from the Associated Student Body (ASB) President Charlotte Lacy, president of the Redwood High School Foundation (RHSF) Jennifer Sicklick and president of the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Crista Morrow, parents and guardians were welcomed into the classroom to learn about their students’ daily activities in class.
Leadership students sat at tables outside of the main building, interacting with parents while selling baked goods to raise money for school-sponsored class events. Junior Zara Bhandari described where all the proceeds from the sale will end up.
“Every grade level in Leadership is having a bake sale to raise money for their class [to] support events like class bonding, prom and other things as well. We sell drinks, cookies and other treats. [All payments are] donation-based so we can make money for our class. We are also selling merchandise as a whole Leadership class, [like] sweatshirts, pajama pants and the juniors are trying to sell more junior jerseys,” Bhandari said.
After viewing all the available merchandise and baked goods for sale, parents filed inside the hallways, searching for their child’s class. Parent Abigail Vare explained how important she thinks it is to attend these events in support of her student.
“My daughter just graduated and her first two [BTSNs] were not in person [due to Covid-19], and so it is good to step on campus again [for my son],” Vare said.
Parent Dave McMorran feels similarly about the importance of keeping up with his child’s academic life.
“I think it is great to see what their life is like going between periods and meeting their teachers. I think that is a huge component [to know what’s going on in their lives],” said McMorran.
Teachers spoke to parents about their curriculums and expectations of students for this year. Live music played outside during every passing period of the night.
Parent Candice Peters gave some apt advice for all students so they will begin this academic year with a clean slate.
“Grow as a person, become more knowledgeable [and] make new friends and memories,” Peters said.
