Parents will receive a personalized email with their child’s schedule and a link to access pre-recorded videos of their child’s teachers created for Back to School Night on Sep. 9. Videos will include content on the course curriculum, grading system and teacher, which are identical details parents would receive during an in-person Back to School Night. 

Information about the PTSA and the Learning Commons will also be sent to parents, according to assistant principal Jennifer Ochsner. Administrators focused on maintaining the primary purpose of Back to School Night, which is introducing parents to the teachers. 

“[We wanted to] make sure our parents still receive the same information and have an opportunity to hear from the teacher’s voice,” Ochsner said. “It’s very different than in an email that is sent out with information, to hear the teacher talk through their curriculum and to talk through what they are looking forward to this year.”

Working parent Karen Lee, mother of junior David Lee, says the videos are convenient for her, as she plans on watching the videos with her son this year. 

“I was never able to make the past Back to School Nights because I had work every day, and I didn’t have the time,” Karen Lee said. “I think watching [Back to School Night videos] can save time, allow people to watch at home while they work, and I can also get assistance from David if I have any questions while watching the video with him.”

As parents are encouraged to email their questions directly to teachers, freshman Renee Yasuda says there might be downsides in moving the event online.

“I don’t really have any concerns but maybe if people have questions and they email the [teachers], it might be a little hectic [because] they might receive a lot of emails,” Yasuda said.

Spanish teacher Caroline Aldemir said since she could present the information once rather than multiple times, she could be more clear and consistent when presenting.

“This is the first time I’ve gotten through all the content. I always run out of time every single time, and now if parents want to, they can actually see the whole thing,” Aldemir said. “For this particular event, I don’t feel like we lost anything.”