Even though the halls of Stettler Elementary School are usually pretty quiet after hours, it was a completely different story on Thursday, Sept. 15.
The school hosted its open house, which gave students a chance to show mom and dad where they were taught their lessons, introduce their parents to their teachers, and have fun investigating their siblings' classrooms.
Classrooms were crowded as children demonstrated some of their lessons to their parents, showed them their artwork or projects, and parents had a chance to speak with teachers about curriculum and student progress.
The open house "gives us the opportunity to share information with parents, show some videos of our school and students, and introduce our fabulous staff," Principal Sharon Fischer said.
She said that while staff didn't keep a headcount, the annual open house usually brings in about 85-90 per cent of the student body's families, and this year was likely about the same.
"We had a gym full," Fischer explained. "The open house was fantastic and I was very impressed by the turnout."
Groups within the school were also able to introduce themselves to parents, as the Family School Liaisons trio of Penny Dahl, Cally Strandquist and Chanel Annable were on hand to explain what the three do.
"We're basically in a school counsellor role," Annable explained.
Dahl added, "We work with students, parents, teachers and various organizations as needed to help our students."
RCMP constable Jon McNickle was also roaming the halls. As the school resource officer, he's in the schools all around Stettler County teaching the DARE program and otherwise helping out.
Kim Hennel went to the school to visit with her daughter's teachers and see what her daughter had learned. Madison Lafournie, her daughter, demonstrated several different musical abilities in the music room for her mother before they headed off to another classroom.
"It's great to see them here," Hennel said.