The families rushing in brought warmness to the crisp air as heat radiated off their bodies. The vibration of voices played across the blaring gym as families chatted and took in the view of the array of tables representing different academies. Shoes clacking reverberated against the vast gold yellow gym floor as people swiftly traversed to their next destination.
Francis Lewis hosted its annual open house event in the gymnasium for 8th grade students and their parents on Thursday, November 7. Parents and students were able to learn about the different academies offered by visiting different stations asking questions to teachers and Francis Lewis students to learn more about what is offered in each academy.
“First, there’s an information session where they can find out the basics about this school,” English teacher Ms.Whitney said. “Then they engage by walking up to each academy and partaking in the different activities, getting a pamphlet or a brochure from them and asking questions.”
The open house features musical performances from experienced players in the advanced music programs at Francis Lewis, and layered, well-rehearsed performances from the JROTC program to engage families.
“Well, there were a lot of performances,” visiting parent Elaine Polsky said. “We got to speak with the students in the programs, which was nice and pretty engaging. They would actually point her (8th grade student) to stuff that she could take a look at to see if she’s really interested in it too.”
Visiting students reported how the faculty was “super friendly,” and “helpful as soon as we entered here.” This has made their time at the open house a quality experience.
“It’s been good, I like it so far,” 8th grader Aiden Liu said. “Everyone’s been super friendly to us and helpful as soon as we entered here. I’ve never seen so many people at an open house before, and I got to see many different programs so far.”
Well regarded Francis Lewis academies such as the JROTC program offers a wide range of benefits, such as teaching valuable leadership skills that cater towards students’ career interests.
“I found engineering and JROTC to be the most interesting,” Liu expressed, “because for the JROTC, I have a really keen interest in the military, and engineering. For the future, I kind of want to become a pilot, and engineering is something I need to do for piloting.”
Francis Lewis High School is a highly regarded New York City public school with an 88 percent graduation rate, taking pride in its award winning programs and its consistently great reputation throughout the years.
“Well obviously the ratings are great, the environment is friendly and welcoming,” Polsky emphasized. “The programs that are listed here are actually what she (8th grade student) is interested in, like more than one program she can actually take and advance in.”
Prospective families getting to see “how this school looks inside” helps them feel better accustomed to the school and its programs.
“I feel better familiarized because I got a visual look at this school,” Lui said. “Seeing how this school looks inside, and really knowing how and what I do in the programs, how it will be if I go to this school, actively taking these programs.”
The open house event at Francis Lewis is informative and thorough in detail, according to Polsky.
“Everyone was very detailed, so I have no question about that,” Polsky said. “Everything was explained and well said, and everyone was very friendly. I didn’t need to ask any questions because everything was made clear.”
According to Ms. Whitney, visiting students can have a better insight on what the tightly knitted community at Francis Lewis is like by attending this open house event.
“I think even just like being in the building, seeing students that go here, seeing some teachers working in the building lets them see the kind of community we have here,” Ms. Whitney said. “Letting these students feel more a part of it, and they can envision themselves here.”
