BY ANDREA TORTORA
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- There were lots of smiles and even hugs between teachers and students Thursday night as families walked the halls of Holmes High School, getting a feel for the building and meeting the teachers.
One parent joked that the friendliness was possible because classes hadn't started yet. But the festive atmosphere is just what school officials were hoping for.
This was Holmes High School's first "Readifest" -- an open house with free school supplies, food and a chance to meet and greet teachers.
"I'm a little nervous," freshman Nikki Florence, 15, said as she checked out classrooms with family members. "This is good because we get to find our classrooms and teachers."
Teachers in all subjects were on hand to discuss course work and answer questions.
English teacher Gwen Torok said she liked being able to let parents know what books they should be expecting their children to be reading.
Social studies teacher Robert Hamann said the event was a good chance to start building supportive relationships with parents. "This helps me get off to the right start with students and their families," Mr. Hamann said. "We can talk about cooperation and that makes it easier to get commitment from the parents."
Eileen Richards, 35, brought her son Tim McQuillan, 13, so they could see the school and find out about the requirements for clear book bags.
Tim's sister Cassandra McQuillan, 14, will be a freshman this year. Tim will enter the high school next year.
"The kids have been here lots of times before but I wanted to see what the high school looked like," Mrs. Richards said as she and Tim finished eating slices of pizza in the cafeteria.
Even student organizations took advantage of the influx of people, advertising their work and need for more volunteers and members.
Seniors Erin McConnell, 17 and Amy Wells, 17, worked at the Co-Ed Y table, a community service group. The students were holding voter registration at the school Thursday.
"Anytime we can get people in the door to see what we do," Erin said, "it's a good thing."
