By Diana Barragan
They walk into Lane with bewildered faces. They pull out a map and look left and right. No, these are not freshmen. They are your parents.
On Sept. 23, parents came to Lane for the Parent Meet and Greet, where family members had the opportunity to experience a day in the life of their child. Instead of waiting until the 11th week of school for report card pick-up, parents were able to meet teachers earlier.
From crowded hallways to traveling across the school to get to class, most of the parents did it all. Including, for some of them, getting to class late or ending up in the wrong classroom just like some of their children might.
With the auditorium almost full of parents, Dr. LoBosco welcomed them to the first “Meet the Teachers” day. Before she went any further, LoBosco asked freshmen parents to raise their hands. A sea of hands raised in response. As for senior parents, the few present cheered and applauded.
Right before the parents were let out to begin their day, LbTV presented a video on how to survive the day. With advice ranging from “no running” to “even and odd numbered rooms are on opposite sides of the building,” there was one that gave the audience a good laugh. “Don’t use your cell phones to call me.”
As soon as parents were released from the auditorium, a crowd gathered near a paper that listed all of the division teachers and their room numbers. Many took small notes and then were on their way. While most made it to the right classes, there were some that did not.
“Some of them skipped classes, especially if they were on the first floor and the next class was on the fourth,” LoBosco said. “But I’m sorry. They cleared the halls better than [Lane students].”
Parents seemed to enjoy the event.
“Technology is really strong right now and it’s easy to e-mail a teacher, but it’s nothing like one-on-one with them,” said Sylvia Torres, a Lane alumni and mother of a freshman and sophomore.
For one freshman mother, coming to Lane was like going back in time 31 years, except it was a little different this time.
“I’m thrilled to see what she goes through everyday and it’s nice to see how classes have changed. When I was here, desks used to be bolted down,” she said.
The majority of parents said they were interested in seeing what their child goes through. Some parents even expressed sympathy for their children after walking through their schedules.
According to Dr. LoBosco another Meet and Greet will be held again next year.
“I received not one negative comment and we should have done it a long time ago,” she said. “It’s a keeper. It’s a new Lane Tradition.”
