Teachers and students join together at Goffstown High School to meet parents on Oct. 3 for Open House. Students from GHS clubs set up tables as teachers get papers ready for when parents file in. At Goffstown High School, Open House is used to allow for parents to meet teachers and understand what their children’s classes require. Open House is also an opportunity for students in any clubs, organizations, or societies to showcase what they require in hopes to get more students involved.

Teachers prepare for Open House by printing out rosters, syllabi, and having student samples readily available. There are ten minutes for each block with five minutes between to transition. For teachers, it is important to communicate with the parents how the class works in only ten minutes. Ms. Clickner, a Biology and AP Chemistry teacher, reflects on her desire to convey the content and skills students learn are applicable in the real world. Open House can be stressful, and for Ms. Clickner, any free period she has is spent “breathing and preparing for the next period.” Open House is tiring but is a great way to connect with parents early on according to Ms. Clickner. 

In the library, students are set up at the tables to talk to parents during free periods. Tables such as the National Art Honors Society, NAHS, used candy to get parents to come visit and start conversations. Victoria Groulx, Vice President of NAHS, wanted parents to know that the club isn’t specifically about being good at art but also “advocating for the arts” and hoped to voice that to parents. Though some parents stopped by, the turnout wasn’t great according to Groulx.. Groulx hopes to be in a larger, more public area to increase parent interactions next year. Though there might have been a few challenges with turnout, Open House was a success. Students are looking forward to next year’s Open House to make it even better according to Groulx.