Parents to Fill Halls at Glenbard Schools for District Open House

Peg Mannion, community relations coordinator for Glenbard Township High School District 87, described the scene that usually occurs at parents night as if were just another day of school, except the students are a little older.

"It's fun to see the parents walking the halls and following their [children's] schedules. It looks like a normal day of school," Mannion said of the crowded halls at the district's open house.

Although Glenbard West and Glenbard South give their open house events different names—South calls it Parents' Night and West calls it the Open House—similar activities are planned for both. At both schools, the school's guidance counselors first greet parents before they are shuffled into the respective auditoriums for announcements from the principals, and at Glenbard South, a performance by the Glenbard South Concert Choir.

According to officials at District 87, the Open House and Parents' Night are generally well-attended, although Mannion said it could always be better.

"The goal is for every parent to come," Mannion said, "but we generally get a very good turnout. The halls get very crowded."

Parent open houses are a great way to keep up to date with what's going on in your child's school life, Mannion said, and added that students with parents who are involved in their school life generally perform better in the classroom.

"Students want that show of support," Mannion said. "Although teenagers don't want you to know it, they see that and they appreciate it."

After leaving the auditoriums, parents at both schools will get a chance to follow their student's schedules, with 10-minute periods at each classroom, where they can get to know their student's teachers and other parents. According to Mannion, it's a great way for parents to learn about the curriculum of their child's classes and what they should expect to see in the year ahead.

"We've all taken social studies in high school," Mannion laughed, "but believe me, it's different now. Things have changed even in the last few years, let alone decades when most parents were in high school."

Glenbard South's Parents' Night and Glenbard West's Open House are both scheduled for Sep. 15 and begin at 6 p.m. and generally go until 9 p.m.