Speaker 1: 0:00

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Speaker 1: 0:59

Welcome to the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson. Today we are sounding the school bell and getting every parent in gear for the new school year. Whether you're packing lunchboxes for your little ones in elementary school, navigating the wild world of middle school or gearing up for Friday night lights of Highland Park High, this episode has something for you. I'm joined by the PTA presidents from Armstrong Elementary, highland Park Middle School and Highland Park High School, and they're giving us the full scoop of what's ahead this school year, from new changes on campus to events you won't want to miss. We've got your back-to-school survival guide right here, so grab your calendar and maybe a strong cup of coffee, because it's time to get organized, get excited and get ready for another amazing year in Highland Park ISD Ladies, thank you so much for being here today. Well, we have a full house. We haven't had this many people at the Bubble Lounge in quite some time. Can we go around the table? Introduce yourself, tell us what your role is in the PTA and what grade your kids are in.

Speaker 2: 1:55

Sure, my name is Alexis Nelleman. I am the incoming HPMS president. I have an eighth grader and a rising 10th grader.

Speaker 3: 2:05

I'm Neely Thrash, the PTA president of Highland Park High School, and thank you so much for having us, martha. I'm an avid listener of the Bubble Lounge and we're honored to be here, and my husband and I have two sons, a junior in high school and then a freshman in college, and this is my 13th year to be part of a PTA or PTO board.

Speaker 4: 2:26

Oh, wow, I'm Monet Ball. I am the president for Armstrong PTA. I have an incoming third grader, a first grader and an incoming pre-K-4.

Speaker 1: 2:37

Oh, you're on the young side.

Speaker 4: 2:39

I am.

Speaker 1: 2:40

Well, I feel like when you live here, there's just so many unsaid things that you're just supposed to know. You know nobody really informs you. There's no book to explain everything. In fact I've always thought about writing one because there's just so many things out there. But we are going to fill you guys in. We know there's a lot of new people that just moved here and people that aren't in the know, so we're going to go over a ton of things today. But we of things today, but we always do a back-to-school episode and I just want to get a feel what's kind of the overall mood as the school year starts Well, martha.

Speaker 3: 3:10

As we head into the school year, we are mourning the loss of our community's precious third graders that lost their life in the floods, and then also for so many children that were campers there that went through the trauma of those floods as well. At the high school, we always very much look forward to celebrating our graduating class, and I just can't stop thinking about the class of 2035 and how it won't be the same without those little ladies in it. But through this sadness, I believe there is hope and light and also a feeling of deep gratitude that we get to start a new school year and welcome all these wonderful students into our schools and really celebrate them and encourage them in their learning Right that's an excellent point.

Speaker 1: 4:03

Well, let's start with elementary school, which is always a special time for these young kids. They're starting kindergarten and going through fifth grade and, alexa, can you tell us some of the things that are going on? You're with Armstrong the other representatives aren't here today, but we've got information about their schools as well. But what kind of things do you guys have to kick off the school year?

Speaker 2: 4:27

I am going to turn it over to Monet.

Speaker 1: 4:32

Sorry about that. I'm just meeting two of you for the first time today and I don't have your number.

Speaker 4: 4:38

So Armstrong, we're really excited. It's our 111th year at Armstrong. We specifically do a full theme for the whole year and all of our events are tied to the theme and so this year it is Armstrong. Ever After we're learning as magical. And because it's our 111th year I'm kind of a little superstitious and I think that's fun to kind of play into all the small moments that really make the elementary school years so magical. We're going to bring back Family Movie Night on Friday, october 17th. It's a community event, it's no ticket. We're going to pick a movie on theme and just have all the families come together and just celebrate being together this year.

Speaker 1: 5:14

Where will you watch the?

Speaker 4: 5:15

movie At the school, at the school on the big field Rain. I guess we'll go into the gym, but we'll always have a plan B.

Speaker 1: 5:22

That's so sweet.

Speaker 2: 5:22

We didn't do that at UP Elementary, no, but UP actually they've got some great stuff coming up and exciting news at UP Elementary is that they are bringing back the tradition of Up All Night hosted by their PTA.

Speaker 1: 5:35

So just FYI real quick. We were on the OG Up All Night. My husband and daughter did that the first year at and they had such a great time, except for the sleeping part, the dad didn't get much sleep that night, but the kids love that event. It's so fun.

Speaker 4: 5:51

I know Lindy Connery, their president, is really excited to be bringing those initiatives. And then Kamala Abusi at Bradfield Elementary they are celebrating their 100th year of school, which is so exciting for them. They have so many fun things planned incorporated for that and themes. And then they are really looking for any alums or neighbors to send any history with photographs or anything to the president at bradfieldptaorg email so they can collect that to really celebrate. They're also giving themselves a turfed field, which will be so fun. I know all the schools are really leaning into turf. Even Armstrong is looking at turfing because it just gives a lot of opportunity for field play for the kids.

Speaker 3: 6:31

Right, right. And then Jada Moles, the president for Boone, wanted us to report that they kicked off their turf project as well and they are super excited about that and their theme this year is Greetings from Boone that kind of postcard version that you see sometimes in stores, and they are excited for all of their events and all the places it will take them. Their auction theme is Bet on Boone. Welcome to Fabulous Boone Auction, which is a vintage Vegas theme.

Speaker 1: 7:03

Okay, I miss the school auction. That was like the highlight of the whole year for a parent. It was so much fun. They are such fun parties and I seriously encourage you that we start one for the high school.

Speaker 4: 7:14

Oh, that would be so fun.

Speaker 4: 7:16

I don't know about that, but I do like where your brain is going, but I do think, if you don't know that is a good tip is auctions usually sell out, yeah right, and they are a really great way to give back to the community, be involved, meet other parents. It really is a fun night out. They all have different themes. Ours is a glass slipper gala. Oh my God, that's so cute, and so I think you know we're going to go all out and try and dress up this year.

Speaker 3: 7:40

Oh, I love that. And then also, ellen Kershaw, president of Hire, wanted us to report that Hire is celebrating its 76th year and the whole year will revolve around the theme of boot scooting. Hire, which this is so sweet, is a theme that Ellen's mom used at Hire 30 years ago when she was BTA president. Oh my gosh, they're kicking off the year with their amazing Field of Dreams, which is their turf field. That is now a year old.

Speaker 1: 8:09

Oh my gosh, I love this. Gosh, you're making me want to have another kid so I can go repeat elementary school again. That is just so great. Well, I feel like so many parents when their kids are young, in an elementary school, they're all over all the volunteer opportunities, the cafeteria, the library, the classroom things, all the stuff For new parents that are just getting involved how can they plug in and be a part At the elementary school level?

Speaker 4: 8:36

there is so many places to come. The cafeteria is so important, actually for all of the schools. It is one of our main ways that we give back to the district to help support the budget. We are the people who serve and do the cashiers, and at elementary school you can start training to learn how to go and help the middle and high school.

Speaker 2: 8:52

Yes, and we need so many helpers at the middle school. Our cafeteria if you've not been in the kids have about five different line options. It looks a lot different than the elementary school and every month we use about 250 volunteers 20 plus volunteers per shift. So we really do need all hands on deck Monday through Friday in the cafeteria serving, and it's a great way to see your kid. It's probably the only way that you can peek at your kid once you leave the elementary school and with 20 other volunteers there, you're going to meet so many other moms. It's just a great way to connect with moms from other elementary schools that you haven't met before. It's my favorite place. I've been a day captain for about four or five years. I'm finally retiring my apron this year to put on my PTO president hat, but I will miss it so much.

Speaker 1: 9:45

Well, I can speak from experience at the middle school. They have what? 30 minutes to eat, right, and if you don't have enough volunteers, that line gets really backed up. Guys and those kids have to just eat their food really fast. They don't really have time to socialize with their friends. So they do need you still at the middle school. Okay, no one gets a free ride here at Highland Park. We need you and it is really fun. I've made lots of friendships through working with you on the cafeteria.

Speaker 3: 10:12

And I would just like to add that you've all volunteered at the elementary school and the middle school. Don't stop there. Please join us at Highland Park High School in our cafeteria as well. We need 10 volunteers a day for our shifts and it is the absolute best way for parents to stay involved at the high school. It's a way to get inside the campus to meet teachers, students, see your kids and their friends, and you know, there's also the supply shop, to volunteer and college night, scitech Fest, hp, lit Fest, ap testing.

Speaker 3: 10:48

There's definitely a lot of ways to plug in at the high school, but the cafeteria is just a great monthly, regular way to plug in and there's actually a practical side to it as well. We don't hire servers at the high school level or at any campus servers at the high school level or at any campus. So we need parents to serve and cashier, because when we don't have enough parents, then our wonderful staff that we do have in the cafeteria has to redirect out of the kitchen and serve and it creates some inefficiencies. And we want to make sure that all our kids are fed very quickly and efficiently because they have a full hour for lunch at the high school, which is great. But you know they have studying and some socializing to do as well.

Speaker 2: 11:31

And if I could add to your nearly lit fest, and maybe science fest works the same way. You can volunteer if you are still at the elementary school or middle school. You do not have to have a high schooler to volunteer there, do you.

Speaker 2: 11:44

That's right, you just need a background check, which I think is so neat, because I have volunteered at LitVest well before my kids were in high school and it's, you know, just a great way to peek behind the wall and it is an entertaining day. It's, you know, they bring in the writers, speakers, artists, and I've not been there for Science Fest, but is it kind of the same setup?

Speaker 3: 12:04

Yes, it's very similar to HPU Lit Fest. Yeah, you're right.

Speaker 2: 12:09

Elementary moms get into the high school and volunteer at Lit Fest. Come early, stay late, that's right.

Speaker 1: 12:15

Always, always, when you're volunteering. That's a really good point, because the high school always has something going on and you're going to be so impressed and you're going to get so excited just knowing what your kids have to look forward to. Absolutely, I don't know about you, but when my teenagers started driving, I was a nervous wreck. So many things that could go wrong and God forbid they get into an accident. Sure, we have car insurance, but for some young drivers the monthly insurance can be higher than the car payment. That's why we're excited to announce that State Farm is lowering their car insurance rates.

Speaker 1: 12:46

And you should call our good friend Kathy L Wall with State Farm on Lovers Lane in Dallas. You see, kathy and her team don't just sell car insurance, they sell peace of mind. So if an accident happens, they're actively working on your claim so you can put that accident behind you. And, best of all, kathy will personally talk with your teen driver with some straight talk that will help them appreciate the driving privilege you have provided them. So if you're tired of high rates for auto insurance, please call our good friend Kathy Elwall State Farm at 214-350-2692 or visit her website at kathylwallcom and let her know. Martha from the bubble lounge sent you. Well, let's talk a bit about the middle school, and I know you have some big news in regards to turf at the middle school.

Speaker 2: 13:34

I do the turf field should be done by October, I believe, and this has been a request for years and years Kids coaches, neighborhood families that are around the middle school that are all excited to use this. And it's just, it's going to provide such a great space for all of the sports that seventh and eighth graders get to participate in once they get to the middle school. So we're thrilled.

Speaker 1: 13:59

Right, these fields are just used constantly, not just during school but in the after hours practices, games, all sorts of things and there's many reasons why it needed to be replaced, but it is such good news that it is finally happening and I can't wait to go see it. Well, what else is going on at the middle school that we need to know?

Speaker 2: 14:16

about. Well, middle school carpool at the first week of school is always a bit of a jam, so it's a hot topic. On Perk City Chatter.

Speaker 2: 14:25

It is. So just a reminder to just hang in there. The first week is always quite a bottleneck as people are figuring out which way they're supposed to go, but I have never driven through Carpool to pick up my kids or drop them off. I always find a little spot, a little side street, and we have a meeting spot and that does seem to streamline the process a bit. The second week of school, I believe, is when off-campus starts to kick in and that means that you know most seventh and eighth graders are leaving a whole hour earlier, so they will clear up some of the spots. Some of the cars will be getting there an hour earlier, so carpool will streamline Once you get in that first week. Just a little patience, that first week for everybody, and we'll all figure out how to get through and yeah, that's definitely accurate.

Speaker 1: 15:15

If you're new there, just realize it will calm down. People will kind of form their carpools, some kids will ride their bikes, finding a meeting place nearby and having your kid walk to you. I think that that is key. That's what we ended up doing because I could never figure out how to navigate the whole thing.

Speaker 2: 15:31

All of this said, park Judy's Chatter, I'm sure we'll have some to think about carpool. We're going to be looking for you, that's right, we'll be like.

Speaker 1: 15:40

You need to refer to this podcast. Exactly, exactly, you're going to do just fine. Well, nealey, let's go over to the high school. There's always lots of exciting things going on. What's going on this year that we can look forward to?

Speaker 3: 15:52

So over the summer we have been doing construction on the whole south side of the building, so redoing flooring and ceilings and painting and redoing stairwells, redoing the art rooms. So there has been a lot of work actually being done, maybe not as much as inside at HPMS and MIS. I know there's a lot going on there inside at HPMS and MIS. I know there's a lot going on there, and so it'll be just so nice to have that area freshened up. The PTA over the last few years has funded a wayfinding project that is progressing and I would call the phase that we're in now phase two, where it's not just signage and numbers of rooms, it's installing some exciting pops of color graphics around the school, and so we have been working on that and the installation has started over the summer and our principal, dr Hunt, is always so great about asking students for their feedback and when we had some samples up he was sure to ask the students what they thought and he was getting really great feedback on that. So we are excited about that and a lot of what is going up on the wall the verbiage, has been solicited from the students and is their idea.

Speaker 3: 17:09

Our students took a lot of care and thought to write an honor code for the high school, and so that will be prominently displayed in two different locations in our high school and then outside our competition gym, which, even if you're not at the high school yet, you've probably been in that gym for some reason. The entrance is off of Westchester. You walk in the school and then the competition gym is on the right, and so we're having some great graphics installed there with actual pictures that were used of our student athletes in action just a variety of students, and on the visitor side we're writing home of the Fighting Scots, just so all our visitors will know exactly where they are when they are in our building, and so that's really exciting. Of course we have Scott's Find a Way, will be up and Enter to Learn, go Forth to Serve our district's motto, which is already visibly present but will be present again, and so that is just kind of exciting. Like in the facility, type changes.

Speaker 1: 18:11

Okay. Well, I'm so excited to see all the new changes. I didn't even know these were in the works see all the new changes.

Speaker 3: 18:17

I didn't even know these were in the works. Yeah, and there's one more big one that's coming down the pipeline. As part of the bond package, the cafeteria will be renovated, and so that work, last I heard, was supposed to begin when the kids release for spring break of this year, so they'll come back. It'll be under construction. We will still be serving meals to students during lunch hours, and so there will be as little interruption as possible to us feeding our children. But that is really exciting. It was definitely really needed and necessary, and under the expertise of our new cafeteria manager, brenda Vardell. We are super excited about her leadership there as well and working with her, and I will personally be in the building quite a bit, so I'm looking forward to her delicious lunches.

Speaker 2: 19:06

Brenda knows how to serve it up.

Speaker 3: 19:07

She comes to us from the middle school.

Speaker 1: 19:10

Right, she worked at the middle school for many years. Many people know her, and now she'll be at the high school. I'm excited to see her in there when I do my first shift.

Speaker 3: 19:17

Yes, glad to have you. I think we actually share the same cafeteria shift, martha. Oh, did you do the same one? Yeah, I did the same one.

Speaker 1: 19:25

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Speaker 1: 19:46

Their team is so organized and friendly. It honestly made the whole process a breeze. They were able to work around our schedule, even during the busy holiday break, and just made everything so simple. And when we walked into the office, I could tell right away this wasn't just any doctor's office. The staff was warm, welcoming and genuinely cares about making you feel comfortable. They were so reassuring, which was just what my daughter and I needed. It's like they know exactly what to say and do to calm any worries. If you're looking for a place where it's not just about the procedure but also the entire experience, from start to finish, I really recommend SA Oral Surgeons. The scheduling process, the incredible staff they've got it just all down to a science. You can even check them out and book online at sasurgeonscom. That's sasurgeonscom. It's care. That's truly a cut above the rest. Well, so how do you all collectively work together? Are there any initiatives that you share together, or does everyone just kind of operate on their own?

Speaker 2: 20:49

You know, we have a monthly lunch together and we meet with Dr Rockwood and go over items that were discussed at the previous night's board meeting and there's always some Q&A time. We always start that meeting with Scott's claps and praises, so it's a good time to hear all of the good things that are going on throughout all the schools. And this last year we had a big team project. We put our brains together, our pennies together, to come up with the extra funding needed to pass the teacher raises. So we do quite a bit.

Speaker 3: 21:24

Yeah, so all the PTAs contributed funds to add an extra 1% to the teacher's total raise. So we were really excited to be a part of that and, as everyone knows, you know we have the best teachers and we want them to be happy and pay them accordingly.

Speaker 1: 21:43

Right, right Well there's always so much going on at all the schools, so many communications things for parents to keep up with. What is the best way for everyone to stay up to speed?

Speaker 4: 21:55

I'd say you know, go online and follow. If you do Instagram or social media, everybody has all different accounts. I know, at Armstrong specifically, we have one for PE and one for art, one for the cafeteria. I have one. Now as president, I'm going to try and communicate more. We also have weekly newsletters. I'm sure it works differently at every campus, but there's some type of communication there. You know, if you want to tag into the district, they also put out their newsletter, and so there's a lot of ways. Listen to the Bubble Lounge. There's a lot of ways to get news, but I think there's different types of different people receive messages different ways.

Speaker 1: 22:30

So like there's a, there's something for everyone, whatever works, yeah, and.

Speaker 3: 22:33

I think all of us do have a cadence of once a week we send out a school electronic newsletter. That's very informative, has all the happenings in the future and other tidbits as well. There will usually be a little more communication at the start of the school, so just hang with us. We're trying to make sure that you guys are informed and can be engaged, are informed and can be engaged. So watch for you know first of day type or, excuse me, watch for the first day of school type communication as well, just with logistics.

Speaker 2: 23:07

Sure, and the district also sends out a weekly update, I believe on Fridays, maybe Saturdays and Fridays. There you go. I always love reading that because it highlights all the different athletes and the band competitions and it's just fun to see those familiar faces and so look for that on Fridays, yeah.

Speaker 3: 23:24

And I would also say all of our school's websites have a lot of information, especially the high school. Oh my goodness. Yes, we have the Kilty Student Handbook. I Google myself all the time what every Scott needs to know. That informative two-pager has phone numbers, contacts, attendance clerks. It has so much information in it and it is so helpful, so I use that as my cheat sheet all the time. I would agree.

Speaker 1: 23:52

I have it hanging on my bulletin board, Because if your kid has an absence, you have to email a lot of people the teachers, the attendants and all the things and I never remember who to do.

Speaker 3: 24:02

That's right, that's right.

Speaker 4: 24:04

I know a lot of the elementary schools this year I think did electronically sending out kind of back to school the information. Armstrong went old school and we continued to send out a big piece of paper for people to read so they could stuff it in their bag and find it later when they need it. Right, that's perfect.

Speaker 1: 24:18

Well, I don't know about you all, but after summer I'm kind of used to a more lax schedule and then all of a sudden it's school time and you're just go from zero to a hundred like overnight. What are your tips for all the parents out there to get back into the groove for a new school year?

Speaker 4: 24:35

I actually one of the things we did last year which was really helpful for my boys. We did a camp and it was the week before school started and the camp started at 8 am, so it was a great way for me to kind of ease back into. We're not sleeping till 9 or 10. Not that a lot of people have that in elementary, but we do at our house, and so I just wanted to get in the routine of packing a lunch, getting them dressed, laying their clothes out we also start reading in the afternoons kind of just like to pick back up the habit of let's focus on screens. Isn't all we do all day besides being outside at the pool.

Speaker 3: 25:05

And Martha, I know you also have a junior boy and so you may have some tips as well, but I am definitely going to encourage my son to start going to bed just a little bit earlier to get used to the early rise. Yeah, let me know how that goes. And then we got out our summer reading book to start reading that as well.

Speaker 1: 25:22

Oh, quick question on that. So when you're in high school, you do in fact have summer reading, right?

Speaker 5: 25:27

Yes, yes, like Jackson.

Speaker 1: 25:30

Because for the past two summers I've been told oh, we don't have any.

Speaker 3: 25:34

We actually do Not to get cute Blake in trouble, but it's on the website and it's been sent out as well, but juniors are reading. Outliers, which is a great book. I read it myself and I really enjoyed it.

Speaker 4: 25:49

There's actually a really cute list too at the UP library. I think probably Howland Park has it too. But you can go find these reading lists that are for your kids, for their certain ages, of just highlighted books that they've picked.

Speaker 1: 25:58

And we have the best libraries guys. I've been going and doing different videos around town and the HP library, the UP library I mean they're just so top notch and like just a place you would genuinely want to hang out all day. They are great places. When it comes to caring for aging parents, families in the Park Cities want more than just help. They want someone they can truly trust. When it comes to caring for aging parents, families in the Park Cities want more than just help. They want someone they can truly trust. That's why I want to introduce you to someone that I've come to know and respect Adam Lampert. He's the CEO of Cambridge Caregivers, and his team is setting a new standard for in-home care in our community.

Speaker 5: 26:32

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Speaker 1: 27:03

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Speaker 2: 27:46

I feel like the elementary schools. This is where they really shine.

Speaker 1: 27:49

I know.

Speaker 2: 27:51

The carnivals, the field days. This is where I feel like Monet would get she would get to brag about.

Speaker 4: 27:58

Those sweet experiences. Yes, I know I'll speak for Armstrong, though A lot of different schools do a lot of similar things. So we have book fair first, and then we do bike rodeo, and then we'll have our Founders Day picnic, where everybody comes and has lunch on the lawn. Then we'll do family movie night. There'll be Red Ribbon Week, where every day is a different dress-up, though I think the high school used to do that when I was there a long time ago.

Speaker 3: 28:22

It's more tied with homecoming week and senior dress-up.

Speaker 4: 28:25

Okay, that's all right, I'm sure, which is also very fun. Then we'll roll into auction. The auctions are spread out to try and give everybody space to host them throughout the year. Then there's this year. We actually changed it. We're going to do each grade has a different kind of activity that they'll do as a grade. So science fair will now be fourth. Third grade is invention convention. Second grade is the economics fair. First grade is famous Americans and kindergarten does the book parade. And this is actually only our second year of having preschool at Armstrong and we'll have two classes this year and we're really excited to add all those little kiddos to our classes.

Speaker 1: 29:01

Oh my gosh, it's all so sweet.

Speaker 3: 29:04

It's all so sweet. I love the elementary days At the high school. I couldn't possibly pick a favorite event. I think that's part of the beauty at the high school is there's just such a variety of talent and activities and sports and performances. It's amazing. But I will say it is so neat at Fish Camp to see the new freshmen coming in. They're all so darling and they're so eager and probably a little nervous getting their schedules and a tour. And then to also since I just had a son graduate from Highland Park High School to see them walk the stage four years later is just amazing. What growth, how they've developed academically but also in their life. It's just kind of full circle and just really really cool and special.

Speaker 4: 29:59

Martha, a successful school year is really just having a fun year and for us it's magical little moments at the elementary school level, Just everybody getting to try new things. Maybe it's they finally were willing to go through the cafeteria line and not take a lunch from home, or maybe they learned how to read or write. It's just the growth and supporting the teachers. End of the day, the teachers are happy. We're really happy. That's our main focus of the PTA is to raise money and to support the school, the initiatives and the teachers and the staff who help run our amazing schools. I also think success probably looks like being able to turn over the presidencies into the next year from a PTA perspective and just know that we were as successful as we could be this year, but we're already starting to plan for next year.

Speaker 2: 30:44

And at the middle school just watching those fifth graders come into that cafeteria the first time and they look so little and they're still kind of walking in a line together. Everyone's trying to find a familiar face that maybe they've played YMCA soccer with, and then a year later to see them walking around the hall so confidently and they've got new friend groups and it's just a great. It's great to watch fifth graders spread out and spread their wings and by the time they're leaving eighth grade, just they're. They're all so much bigger and they're high-fiving. The security guard that they call Uncle Ernie, and just you know they come into this space that looks so big and they're there for such a short time and to watch them grow and find their place you know they're really ready for the high school once they leave eighth grade.

Speaker 1: 31:34

They really are. They grow into their environment, right. Like you said, they're so tiny and little in fifth grade and some of these guys, seventh graders, look like full-on adults, don't adults. Yes.

Speaker 4: 31:46

I remember when I was in high school at Highland Park, somebody gave me good advice freshman year when I came in and it was like nobody's expecting you to be graduating this year because you start talking about college and it's so big. And they just said you're just focused on being a sophomore, like prepping to be a sophomore. And I was like okay, one, one year at a time, and by the time you graduate you're ready to go, you're right where you're supposed to be.

Speaker 2: 32:05

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 32:07

Well, is there any final words of advice that you all would like to share with parents, just on encouraging them to gearing up for this new school year?

Speaker 3: 32:16

I would just encourage parents to I know we sound like a broken record, but to get involved, to be a part of your child's education and encourage them to engage with their teachers and get to know their teachers and go to their office hours to ask questions, to check out clubs at the high school. There's an endless amount of clubs and opportunities to get involved. And then for parents it's easy to jump on any of our websites and find the volunteer page and sign up for anything and help out, and that is just so appreciated. And I am at the school a lot and I don't regret a minute that I've served there. It's been great relationships, great parent friends that I've met. I love seeing the students meeting the teachers working with Dr Hunt. It's just, it's a great place to be.

Speaker 1: 33:14

Well, let's end with your final words of advice for anyone that's a newcomer.

Speaker 2: 33:19

Plug in. This is a town where these schools are run on parent power. There is room for you. We will gladly take you. If you want to work behind the scenes, there are different roles for you. If you want to be in the school, we have a spot for you and it really is. Brings the color to the community because you realize what makes this school so special, this school district it's everyone coming together to work together. It's different than just letting your kid go into a school and be gone for the day. We moved here in 2018, and we were blown away. People move here and they feel like they are living in Mayberry and it is because everyone is doing their part. Everyone is at the school playing some kind of role, and it really makes the thread so much tighter when we're all plugged in and working together.

Speaker 3: 34:18

And I would add, if you're new to the high school, welcome. We're so excited to have you. It's never too late to become a Scott, and we have a whole group of parents that are dedicated to our newcomers, so we have a list of parents that have agreed to come alongside our new families and that would have similar ages to yours and possibly activities as well, and so we look forward to answering all your questions and feel free to reach out to me. President at hphsptaorg. I am so happy to talk to you or answer any questions.

Speaker 4: 34:58

And I would also say from an elementary perspective, there's preschools at all of the schools. Specifically for Armstrong, we have the Armstrong Bradfield Preschool Association. You can go online. They have so many fun events to plug into. There's book club, wine club. We do different events. They help raise money with this really fabulous event called Home Tour. We also have new family chairs at the elementary schools that are all ready and ready to welcome new families to the district and help you kind of feel your way through.

Speaker 4: 35:26

I will say, growing up here I did go to Armstrong all the way through graduated high school and it is such a special community and the moms I still remember them serving me in the cafeteria and I got to know my friends' moms and just how special they were. And dads, the Dads Club. They're out there opening the doors at carpool drop-off if you need to go to work but you need a quick way to plug in and meet some other dads. Dads are so welcome. They help put up tents for things.

Speaker 4: 35:52

They also have a lot of fun activities themselves. They have a poker night and they have a golf tournament that helps get back to the district. So I think just come and show up. If you don't know, somebody call those new family chairs. They'll go with you to the event. But I know some of my best friends that I've now made was because I said yes to something that I was good at because of my career and it parlayed into this overarching volunteer experience where I feel like I can give back to my community and where my kids go to school and it's just a great way to meet new people.

Speaker 1: 36:24

Well, perfect. I think we are in really good hands this year. I am super excited for the school year to start. It sounds like we've got a lot of great things going on. Ladies, thank you so much for taking the time and being here today. Thank you so much. Thank you for having us. That's been another episode of the Bubble Lounge. I'm Martha Jackson and I'll see you next time.