By Lori BODNAR, intern

Most local elementary schools and Crescenta Valley High School (CVHS) have already hosted their annual Back-to-School Nights. Rosemont Middle School will hold its Back to School Night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on tonight, Sept. 6. La Crescenta Elementary and Valley View Elementary will have Back to School Nights on Sept. 13.

CVHS kicked off its Back to School Night on Aug. 30 with several information booths set up on the campus quad and a fundraiser barbecue sponsored by Prom Plus. Prom Plus is an adult volunteer organization that hosts an after-prom party at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA giving senior students a fun post-prom event that is an alternative to unsupervised post-prom parties. Other CVHS clubs that were on-site to fundraise and garner students or parents for membership included the PTSA, ASB, Speech/Debate Club, Falkon Robotics FRC Team 589, Korean Parents Association, Armenian Club and the Crescenta Valley Instrumental Music (CVIM) organization. T-shirts and yearbooks were also for sale.

Hundreds of parents and students were at CVHS for its Back to School Night. Everyone enjoyed catching up with friends and neighbors, eating delicious barbecue, and watching the entertainment. The CVHS Charismatics Choir sang the national anthem in perfect harmony, and the CVHS Junior ROTC student group presented the colors. Principal Dr. Linda Junge welcomed everyone, and the CVHS drill team performed a routine that had the crowd cheering. The CVHS marching band was also on the field performing and practicing.

Then the bell rang signaling that it was time to head off to classrooms to hear about teacher expectations and class syllabuses.

Students helped their parents navigate the halls to get to each class. Every 10 minutes, parents would move onto another of their student’s classes to hear from the teacher, learn about the course material and the grading system for each class.

Students were encouraged to attend BTSN. Rebecca Cizek is a freshman at CV.

“My impression about starting CV is that it’s a big adjustment but once you figure out where your classes are it’s good,” said Cizek. “I also have good teachers, so that’s always a plus.”

Michelle Roth, a sophomore, said she liked returning to school.

“Math is my favorite subject because I enjoy working with numbers,” said Roth. “I am happy that school has started again so that I can see my friends every day.”

The teachers talked about their backgrounds and what material would be covered over the course of the school year.

“Back to school is my favorite time of year because I get to meet the students and know I am going to love them,” said AP human geography teacher Amber McLeod said. “Teaching is my passion and I love my job. When you choose what you want to do for a career, you can select a job for prestige, or to please your parents, or you can choose to go with your passion. I recommend that you choose what you are passionate about for a career. When you push your limits, that’s when you grow.”

Club Week is also coming up at CVHS from Sept. 11-15. There is a wide variety of clubs that students can join, such as the Crescenta Valley Academy of Science and Medicine, a career pathway program for students to explore the various careers in science and medicine. The Academy of Science and Medicine picnic is Saturday, Sept. 8 in the school quad from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There is also a Crescenta Valley Instrumental Music (CVIM) fundraiser on Sept.18 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Panda Express in La Cañada. CVIM also had a fundraiser on Aug. 28 at Chipotle and Baked Bear in the Town Center in La Cañada. Chipotle and Baked Bear gave a portion of all receipts collected directly to the CVHS Instrumental Music Department. These businesses are among those who regularly donate to the school. Some businesses, such as local grocery stores, particiapte in the scrip program. Participation needs to be renewed each school year. To learn more, visit https://www.shopwithscrip.com/.

  Lori BODNAR