Students ambivalent about sharing high school with parents
Receptionist Mrs. York stands with her son Thomas Komulainen
Photo by Megan Brown
By Megan Brown
Imagine sitting in class when suddenly your mom walks in, singing “Happy Birthday” and carrying a birthday crown. She makes you wear it as the class sings along. This is exactly what happened to junior Tommy Komulainen on his birthday during Mr. Stephen Fox’s Spanish class.
This unforgettable moment may not have happened if Tommy’s mother, Ms. Diane York, did not work at BEHS as a secretary. She is one of a number of BEHS staff and faculty members who have children who are students here. The list also includes Mrs. Lori Napolitano, Mrs. Jennifer Profenno, Mr. Christopher Pillsbury, Mr. Scott Regan, Mr. Allen Thomas, Mrs. Sue Dufresne, Mr. Don Denico, Mrs. Amy Doucette, Ms. Catherine Bonica, and Ms. York.
Many teachers struggle to keep students on task, and parents hope their child will be responsible enough to keep on task themselves. According to Mr. Don Denico, an industrial arts teacher at the high school, whose daughter, Sadie, is a freshman here, one of the best ways to keep students on task is to be both their parent and teacher.
Others have mixed feelings on this unique situation. Ms. York, who’s had three children go to school while she has worked here, believes it has “both advantages and disadvantages.”
Generally, the parents enjoy having their children so close. They find that they can be more involved with their children, and they enjoy not necessarily having to go to parent-teacher conferences.
It is easier for parents to attend sporting events or other extracurricular events, and can “simply walk out back, without missing work,” as Mr. Denico said.
It also makes it easier to get to know other students at the school when they are friends with their children.
However, parents also say there can be challenges, like not wanting their children to be embarrassed and wanting them to be able to experience high school like all the other students.
“Students are held to a higher standard when parents are in the building,” says Mrs. Lori Napolitano, whose son Christian is a freshman.
Parents also express concern that if students in their classes are angry with them, some retaliation could be taken out on their children. They also worry that their children could hear people complaining about their parents. The opposite is also a worry, in that the parents will hear students talking poorly about their children.
The students have different concerns and feelings on having their parent working in the high school. The advantages for the student can range from getting food anytime to getting permission slips signed easily, while the disadvantages can include not being able to experience high school the way you want.
Imagine sitting in class when suddenly your mom walks in, singing “Happy Birthday” and carrying a birthday crown. She makes you wear it as the class sings along. This is exactly what happened to junior Tommy Komulainen on his birthday during Mr. Stephen Fox’s Spanish class.
This unforgettable moment may not have happened if Tommy’s mother, Ms. Diane York, did not work at BEHS as a secretary. She is one of a number of BEHS staff and faculty members who have children who are students here. The list also includes Mrs. Lori Napolitano, Mrs. Jennifer Profenno, Mr. Christopher Pillsbury, Mr. Scott Regan, Mr. Allen Thomas, Mrs. Sue Dufresne, Mr. Don Denico, Mrs. Amy Doucette, Ms. Catherine Bonica, and Ms. York.
Many teachers struggle to keep students on task, and parents hope their child will be responsible enough to keep on task themselves. According to Mr. Don Denico, an industrial arts teacher at the high school, whose daughter, Sadie, is a freshman here, one of the best ways to keep students on task is to be both their parent and teacher.
Others have mixed feelings on this unique situation. Ms. York, who’s had three children go to school while she has worked here, believes it has “both advantages and disadvantages.”
Generally, the parents enjoy having their children so close. They find that they can be more involved with their children, and they enjoy not necessarily having to go to parent-teacher conferences.
It is easier for parents to attend sporting events or other extracurricular events, and can “simply walk out back, without missing work,” as Mr. Denico said.
It also makes it easier to get to know other students at the school when they are friends with their children.
However, parents also say there can be challenges, like not wanting their children to be embarrassed and wanting them to be able to experience high school like all the other students.
“Students are held to a higher standard when parents are in the building,” says Mrs. Lori Napolitano, whose son Christian is a freshman.
Parents also express concern that if students in their classes are angry with them, some retaliation could be taken out on their children. They also worry that their children could hear people complaining about their parents. The opposite is also a worry, in that the parents will hear students talking poorly about their children.
The students have different concerns and feelings on having their parent working in the high school. The advantages for the student can range from getting food anytime to getting permission slips signed easily, while the disadvantages can include not being able to experience high school the way you want.