THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 3, 1995 TAG: 9512020115
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 36 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Although it has been a few years since Jacqueline Epps was a high school student, she was back changing classes, standing in the lunch line and paying attention in class on Wednesday. It was Parent Visitation Day at Oscar F. Smith High School.
Lee Ann Rikard, a physics teacher and coordinator of the Parent Teacher Center, organized the event as another means of strengthening teacher and parent communication. Rikard said that teachers were urged to plan their normal teaching schedule so that parents could experience a typical school day.
Epps and about 75 other parents followed their child's schedule throughout the day. It gave them not only the opportunity to meet teachers and visit the classroom but also to hurry through the hallways, dash to a locker, change classes and for some . . . lunch at 10:05 a.m. Several parents even had homework.
``I'm here on a regular basis to attend school events and meetings,'' said Epps. ``But the visitation day gives us a better idea of what goes on at school. And I want to know what's going on. These days, it is a community effort to raise children. It's important that teachers, staff and parents work together for the benefit of the child.''
Epps wanted to talk more, but she had to hurry to French class to join her daughter, Jacqueline Sawyer, 14.
``It's a great chance for us to have a look at this part of their life,'' agreed Jo Anne Huffman as she hurried to find her daughter, Chrissy, 17.
Janet Andrejco, the school's principal, said ``Parent Visitation Day'' will become a regular event. The next visitation day will be in March.
``It's a great idea.'' said Andrejco. ``Parents observe teaching styles and see students interacting.''
James Carrington even packed a book bag for his day at school.
``I had to fix him up,'' confessed Joy Carrington, 16, his daughter.
His morning started off with an honor roll party, and then it was on to Spanish and later calculus before he had to leave at lunch time.
Debbie Forwood, a U.S. history teacher, sent a reading assignment home the night before to the parents who were attending her class. Joy is in Forwood's class.
``I think my dad is leaving early so he won't have to debate in class,'' Joy teased. ``Next time, he's going to stay all day even if we have a test.''
``School is so different now than in my day,'' said James. ``We had just reading, writing and arithmetic. There is so much more going on now.''
Mary Denyes clutched her books as daughter Laura, 16, hurried her down the hall. Denyes had been to chemistry, English and lunch by 10:45.
``I read my history assignment last night,'' said Denyes. ``I think I'm ready.''
Steven Jinright, 15, inched his mother, Linda Jinright, along in the lunch line.
``I want the teachers to know that I'm here. That I'm not only interested in grades and discipline but also in other areas of his life,'' said Linda. ``I'm a parent who's here. It's important to be visible and support both the teachers and the child.''
As the class bell rang, Jermaine Collins' mother stopped to talk to Melvina Scott, a friend and an assistant principal, but Scott had to cut the conversation short.
``Let me remind you that you only have five minutes to get to class,'' Scott warned her.
School secretary Sherrese Wade said they had only one parental problem. One mother wanted a note to skip gym class. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
James Carrington came with his daughter, Joy, to the parents
visitation day at Oscar F. Smith High School.
Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Sharon and Charlie Anderson watched their daughter, Bonni Frick, and
classmates at work in the science lab.
by CNB