The commons and gyms of Coppell High School on Monday night included bustling conversation among teachers, parents and students as they discussed schedules for the 2019-20 school year.

CHS hosted a Spring Preview Night from 6-8 p.m. to allow to incoming sophomores, juniors and seniors to bring their parents to talk to teachers about classes they are interested in taking.

Last year, the night was held after closing course selections, which opened on Jan. 9. However, this year, it is being held prior to closing course selections, allowing students to understand the expectations and foundation of the classes.

“I guess obviously [Preview Night] needs to be before [course selections] because then you can actually understand what you are going to do and decide what you need to do,” CHS parent Joe Pathak said. “This is much more useful because we have specific questions that we are getting answered.”

Career and Technical Education programs, such as student media production, engineering and health sciences, were in the small gym; math, English and social studies classes were in the large gym; science and foreign language classes were in the main commons; fine arts were in the main hallway.

In the small commons was the International Baccalaureate (IB) program which had an information meeting hosted by IB Coordinator Michael Brock at 7 p.m.

In addition, Red Jackets hosted tours of the school every 30 minutes starting at 7 p.m.

Various clubs lined the hallway near the horseshoe to recruit members to their clubs including National Art Honor Society, Student Council and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).

Student Council members babysat staff members’ younger children in classrooms.

Many teachers were encouraged to bring students to give parents first hand looks into the curriculum.

“Having teachers here can only do so much for having a student’s perspective and point of view,” senior Red Jacket Vasudha Prasad said. “Having students here gives a wider range to what the teachers can give you. [Teachers] can give you course materials, but kids can give you actual input and what it’s like to take that course.”

Although students do not know their definite teachers, the night gave insight into the course and curriculum as students and parents were able to communicate with a variety of teachers to get a basic understanding of the courses.

“I would just like to say that I hope everybody finds the place where they can grow,” CHS English teacher Richard Orlopp said.

Associate principal Melissa Arnold organized the night with the intent of informing students and parents of their course options.

“It definitely made [Preview Night] more informational and so it accomplished what I wanted it to accomplish,” Arnold said. “Which was to able to ensure that you chose the class that was right for you.”

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