Parents join in typical classroom experiences
Bring a Parent to School Day attracts 150 guests
 For
more than 10 years, the last week of April has included Bring a
Parent to School Day at HFM BOCES. Parents join students for a
day in the classroom, not just observing, but joining in with
the day’s activities.
Career and Technical
Center teachers and staff welcomed parents on Friday, May 1, for
the chance to experience the day-to-day routine of their child
at BOCES. Visitors get to see and hear what goes on in the
classroom and sample the hands-on instruction that is equipping
their child for a career after high school.
“We were blown away by
what our child has learned so far,” one proud mother said. “Our
daughter has grown so much since coming here.
School counselor
Kathleen Daly explained that the special day is always well
attended, more so in the morning session than the afternoon.
“It’s all new for the juniors and their parents,” Ms. Daly said.
“It is a great chance for the students to show off their new
skills.”
This year’s event
attracted 150 parents. Visitors experienced a range of programs,
from culinary arts to criminal justice.
 Student
Nicole Mackey brought her mom, Lori Western, and her
grandmother, Beverly Mackey, to help bake pastries as part of
her Culinary Arts class. While mom was justifiably proud, it was
Grandma Mackey who got the credit for teaching Nicole to love
baking.
On the other side of
the kitchen, Mary LaPort helped her daughter Kaitlin build tray
after tray of Reuben sandwiches for the cafeteria lunch line.
Both student and parent looked like they were enjoying the task.
“Kaitlin has always
loved to cook,” said Mrs. LaPort as she laid slices of cheese
over piles of sliced corned beef.
 Some
parents may have grimaced more than smiled, at least initially.
The Medical Assisting classroom buzzed with activity as students
dissected sheep hearts as part of their studies. There was
cutting, prodding and slicing of the tissue while students and
parents explored the valves and chambers of the heart. The
circulatory system of a sheep and the size of its heart are very
similar to humans, making sheep useful tools for studying
anatomy.
 Criminal
Justice students and their parents were treated to a
demonstration and lesson on self defense from martial arts
expert Mike Campos and his dummy, Bob. The demonstration was
fairly routine until Campos invited the observers to
participate. In a flash, feet were flying and bodies were tossed
to the floor. Broad smiles graced the face of several moms as
their six-foot sons lay prone at their feet.
Other visiting parents
had the opportunity to assist with auto mechanics or body work
in the garages, visit the construction workshops, or travel with
their teens to Fonda to work with horses as part of the Equine
Science program.
 For
some parents, the day was nostalgic. Cosmetology student India
Snell welcomed her mother and former student, Cori Snell, back
to the classroom. Mrs. Snell is a cosmetologist in Amsterdam at
the salon that provides internships for HFM’s cosmetology
students.
Visitors were asked to
evaluate the day to help plan for future events. The comments
ranged from appreciation for the chance to see the BOCES
facility and to observe teachers in action, to outright
astonishment at the level of skill and accomplishment by
students.
“I really enjoyed
seeing my child in this environment,” a parent wrote. “I saw a
confidence and self esteem that is different from what I see at
home.” |
