Clarke Central High School Family Engagement and Academic Support Specialist Christian Barner speaks to the ODYSSEY Media Group staff during a press conference on July 21 in Room 231. As part of his duties, Barner has been responsible for organizing the annual Open House, which will take place on Aug. 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. “I try to give a little bit of direction for teachers and for families,” Barner said. “I’ll also communicate with teachers with reminders, (such as), ‘Try to make sure your hallways are clean (and) your classrooms are clean and organized.’ I taught for a while, so I remember the things that I would do, so I kind of relay that experience (to help teachers).” Photo by Iliana Tejada
The annual CCHS Open House will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 19.
Clarke Central High School’s doors are opening to CCHS families once again with the annual Open House taking place from 6-7:30 p.m. today.
The event, organized by CCHS Family Engagement and Academic Support Specialist Christian Barner, offers the opportunity for families to engage with the CCHS community.
“The main purpose of (Open House), from parents’ perspective, is to meet teachers,” Barner said. “We’ll also have other things set up. So, in (the E.B.) Mell Lobby, we’ll have some of the (CCHS) clubs and sports (teams) will have tables set up. We’ll also be trying to get parents signed up for Parent Portal.”
Especially for freshmen, (parents) have some questions that have developed over those first two weeks. It’s great for them to come in and to meet the teachers, even if it’s just to pop in, run around to some teachers and leave.”
— Christian Barner,
CCHS Family Engagement and Academic Support Specialist
However, the Open House won’t be fully “open,” as safety is still on the minds of Barner and the CCHS administration.
“I talk with (CCHS Associate Principal of Operations Tamika Henson) and I let her know exactly what doors are locked,” Barner said. “We (only) open certain doors, and there’s somebody, (either a teacher or security officer), watching those doors to make sure that things are okay, coming in and out.”
Clarke Central High School science department teacher Matthew Regester talks about the opportunities Open House gives teachers for engaging with students’ families on Aug. 12. Regester has found the event to be an opportunity to give parents needed information, as well as to answer their questions. “I have little slips with my contact information, syllabi, stuff like that, just to have for parents to get if they want,” Regester said. Video by Lea D’Angelo
For CCHS science department teacher Matthew Regester, Open House serves as a chance to show parents what his chemistry class teaches through tangible examples.
“I usually benefit from Open House aligning with the flame test lab, so it’s kind of nice where I can have students show (their families) what they did,” Regester said. “Sometimes you’re talking to one family, and then two other families arrive, and I always just say (to the student), ‘Hey, show them what you did.’”
Despite the difference Barner has seen in attendance between Parent-Teacher conferences and Open House, he is still optimistic for a good turnout.
“High school parents back off a little bit, trust their kids and maybe don’t feel like it’s necessary to go (to Open House),” Barner said. “But, especially for freshmen, (parents) have some questions that have developed over those first two weeks. It’s great for them to come in and to meet the teachers, even if it’s just to pop in, run around to some teachers and leave.”
