“Fort Couch Open House is important for the parents, so that they can come in and meet the teachers,” said Fort Couch principal Mr. Demar in an interview at the open house on October 2nd.
Mr. Demar explained that there is always apprehension regarding students’ transition between middle schools, from Boyce to Fort Couch. Open house was intended to ease parent’s concerns by giving the parents the opportunity to hear from each of their child’s teachers.
Team teachers presented in their classrooms, and expressive arts teachers spoke in the cafeteria.
A special feature of this year’s open house was the introduction of the new iPad initiative. The principal explained, “We don’t play games on the iPads. […] It’s truly an educational tool and that’s something that’s different from when we were in school.”
Students were present at the open house to demonstrate activities used in class on the iPads. The students were referred to as the “iPad super user group.” One student taught parents in attendance about an app used to test understanding of lessons taught. Two girls spoke about an essay editing tool.
Eighth grade student Sammy Koller explained, “You can email your essays to your teacher, and they edit it for you. They email it back, and then you edit it.”
Several other groups of students in addition to the iPad super users were present. For example, Cupcakes for Cancer, a student run organization, had several students selling baked goods at the event. All the money the group earned will go to cancer patients. The student organization also plans to sell baked goods at Fort Couch’s parent and student event, Celebration of Learning, in the spring.
Fort on the Field was another new event introduced at the open house. Students presented to parents about the opportunity for 7th and 8th grade students in the main lobby. The event was in collaboration with the high school marching band students.
A student described Fort on the Field in an interview as, “An event where kids in 7th and 8th grade can come and experience the marching band for a day.” The new opportunity is not a commitment, and does not require the student to be involved with the Upper Saint Clair High School marching band. The student explained, “It’s not a commitment. […] You’ll get a band mentor, and you’ll get to hang out with your friends.”
Hallways were crowded, and rooms were filled at the Fort Couch Open House, and parents had positive reviews of the event. The four teacher teams impressed. Tracy DeCock expressed in an interview, “I think the Upper Saint Clair school system is fantastic, and I’m very excited about the team teaching approach.”
Mr. Demar explained the connection the school is attempting to form between students and parents. The goal was to inform parents on what and how their children are learning each day. The principal connected, “Then when the children go home and they communicate that, I believe it helps ease all the concerns.”
The school teachers and principals of Fort Couch plan on expanding on and learning from their new programs. The faculty believes they are changing the school system for the better.