Eighth graders are almost ready to join West Milford High School and their journey from across the street began on January 23 with Eighth Grade Parent Night.

Eighth Grade Parent Night is intended to introduce the school to eighth grade parents and their children on the cusp of graduation. Its purpose is to showcase everything that the high school has to offer; teachers, clubs, supervisors, sports programs and everything in between.

During the event, the PALs organization gave tours throughout the school. The student leaders not only explained the school’s layout, but shared everyday information on everything from lockers to schedules.  In the various academic wings, parents met with teachers and supervisors to get a gauge of what high school would be like. In the gym, representatives from all of the sports teams were present, hoping to recruit young students to their cause. In the cafeteria, many of the high school clubs set up information booths to share with students and parents the other extracurricular activities available.

One parent believed the event was very successful, “I think it was very good and informative for us.” No parent interviewed could think of anything to make it better. One child was happy about the event saying, “There are a lot of things I didn’t know were in the school.”

The event in its fifth year was an enormous success with an estimated three hundred students and parents attending. This was the first year in which students could accompany their parents. Guidance said that the change was designed so that both parent and student would know what the school has to offer and be able to make quicker decisions about school.

Originally called Course Selection Day, students of every grade were invited to showcase what the high school had available. However, too many people showed up, so it was then limited to only the eighth grade parents, and now this year their children.