LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – Typically when students come to school, they follow a strict schedule and attend classes with their peers. But for one night, Griffins will get to come onto campus and walk around as freely as they would like, and rather than attend classes with just their friends, they can now do so with their family.
On March 12, the Los Alamitos High School campus will open its gates at 6:00 p.m. to allow students and families, especially incoming freshmen, to tour classrooms and attend optional workshops on topics varying from career pathways to the school’s sports programs. Common core and elective classes will showcase Griffins’ talents, creations and projects, as well as present opportunities for families to meet with teachers and learn more about the many opportunities at LAHS.
“(This event) gives us the opportunity to really make our school shine and highlight all the great things that we’re doing,” said Dr. Platt, Assistant Principal of Curriculum, Instruction and Technology.
For incoming freshmen and students new to the school, the event will open with an optional kick-off presentation by Principal Kraus and the school counselors at 5:00 p.m., welcoming students and families to LAHS. Afterwards, visitors will be able to attend other workshops or tour the campus.
Current LAHS students and families will be able to visit the campus from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., and optional workshops and speaker sessions will take place from 6:40 to 7:10 p.m. During the entire event, classrooms around campus will be open for families to visit and view students’ work, both on the walls and in action.
Mr. Carthew, the LAHS ceramics teacher, explained that ceramics students attending Open House with their families will not only be able to showcase their work but also teach their accompanying family about ceramics with hands-on experience at the pottery wheel, just as the students have been doing in class every day.
“It empowers the students because they become the expert and they can teach their parents something, whereas usually it’s the other way (around)…And then I think the parents really love it because they are involved in their students’ education,” Mr. Carthew said.
For the school’s music programs, visitors will be able to get a feel for the jazz band classes by listening to some of the school’s top music students play together in a live performance. However, jazz won’t be the only music genre highlighted in this year’s Open House.
“Even though (they) are the jazz program students, they are also in the marching band, (or) the concert band, (or) the orchestra. So that one top ensemble represents the entire (music) program, so (the students) can speak to other aspects (of the program),” said the LAHS jazz teacher, Mr. Padilla.
Similar to the music classes, the LAHS dance program students will also be showcasing their talents in a live performance; students will be performing a number from their upcoming show.
Romina Perez-Murillo, a sophomore in beginning dance, hopes the Open House event will help shed some light on the dance program for curious students.
“When people visit, they will see that we don’t just dance, we actually learn stuff too, and they will see that it’s a really fun class,” she said.
Dr. Platt explained that one of his favorite parts about Open House and Spring Showcase is being able to view everything that LAHS has to offer in one all-encompassing night.
As Open House and Spring Showcase approaches, the anticipation to exhibit everything that LAHS has to offer grows. The event is not only an opportunity for families and incoming freshmen to tour the campus, but also a chance for current students to showcase their classes, their work and to come together to proudly represent the Griffin community.
