Buena Park Junior High parents learned how their children will study infectious diseases, bake culinary confections and examine the founding of the United States during the school’s recent Back to School Night.
During the August 15 event, teachers, staff and administrators also stressed the importance of parents partnering with the District to build a supportive community to ensure all students excel academically and grow socially and emotionally.
“We want parents to partner with us because w’re not the only teacher in our students’ lives,” Buena Park Junior High Principal Erik Bagger said. “Parents are the first teacher, and I stick to the maxim that it takes a village to raise a child. It’s very true—especially when it comes to junior high.”
Parents familiarized themselves with the school’s expanded honors and science, technology, engineering and math classes, which prepare students for high school, college and beyond. The STEM program has gained more than 60 new students this year thanks to the popularity of its robotics section, which teaches students how to build and program robots to complete obstacle courses.
Jennifer C., a parent of students at Buena Park Junior High and Gilbert Elementary School, said Back to School Nights are crucial for building trust between parents, teachers and students.
“I think it’s important for parents to know what is expected of their children at school and to know that their school is providing them with engaging school curriculum,” Jennifer C. said. “Children need to know that the school, parents and community care about them, and these Back to School Nights show them that they have support.”
