Back to School Night

I have not attended a back to school night since my son Jack was in 4th grade. Last night I attended back to school night at Jenna's school, Arthur Slade. I had the chance to introduce myself to her teachers, hear about the curriculum and see her classrooms. Two of her classes are AP type classes that only have 16 students in each of them. First is advanced literature, which is taught by the Principal of the school. It is the only class he teaches and from the presentation can tell he really goes all out. I came away ready to read Oliver Twist so I can follow along with Jenna during the year.

The other class that stuck out was the advance Social Studies class taught by assistant principal Mr Ritz. He too focus on giving students a wide array of topics and left a good bit of the responsibility to the student. No spoon feeding these kids. He expects them to take good notes, and decipher his lectures on their own. If he talks about it in class they need to know the material.