Eighth grade parent night took place Feb. 2 in the high school gym. It was a night to inform next year’s freshmen and their parents of the high school schedule and policies.

“The game is the same, but the rules have changed. [The students] get a little more freedom,” said Assistant Principal Ed Birnbaum. The freedom to choose classes was one of the major topics the night focused on. “With freedom comes responsibility. For example, if they were, and are, responsible with their education, they can start taking dual credits. Not just high school credits but college credits as well.”

The night focused mainly on discussing next year’s schedule and how to select classes. Birnbaum, along with the freshman counselor Jennifer Freestone, stressed the importance of choosing classes which will be necessary for the students to graduate high school as well as help them out after they graduate. Tools such as the I Have a Plan Iowa website and the Career Planning Manual are available for each student to use while planning their high school career.

Although all of this new information can be overwhelming, Principal David Keane assured the eighth graders they will not be alone.

 “You’ll be on the same page as some of the older kids because we are all experiencing a change [in the schedule],” said Keane.

Overall, the night helped the middle school students and their parents feel more comfortable with their upcoming change.