Foothill High School’s campus awoke from summer hiatus this week as students and parents returned for registration. Instead of waiting in line after line, people were ushered through a series of stations with efficiency.
Pleasanton resident Melinda O’Brien volunteered to help with the registration forms table and was pleased with the process.
“This was the first time (parents) had to show two proofs of residency,” she said, “but this was only a problem for about five percent.” And as for the station setup, she was impressed, “the organizers have got it down to a science.”
Kim Phi, mother of junior Kathleen, thought the process was “excellent” and went through without difficulty. Continuing students signed up for classes at the end of the previous school year, and Kathleen didn’t anticipate any scheduling problems.
Yet, the experience was not always without frustration for some. Parents of a sophomore waited for several minutes in the counseling line hoping to resolve a scheduling error. Upon arriving at the table, they were told that their request would be processed and resolved by Thursday, mere days before school is scheduled to begin. The parents weren’t too optimistic because the same problem happened the year before.
Principal Kevin Johnson, in his 12th year at Foothill, recognized the need to have a fluid system in order to get parents and students out quickly. “We don’t want to make them wait in long lines, so we have several stations,” he said. “It’s a lot of work and we appreciate the help from the community volunteers, parents and staff.”
Registration is not only about paperwork and finalizing class schedules, it’s also a time for social planning. Boisterous students joyfully reunited with friends in the gym decorated with falcon pride. Blankets, sweatshirts, lanyards and cushioned seats in blue and yellow were for sale by the Associated Student Body as well as the Music and Sports Boosters clubs. There was a booth where seniors could sign up for all the events in one stop. As the process expanded from the small gym to the multipurpose room, students were able to sign up for clubs and parking permits as well as the student yearbook and newspaper.
Parent Wayne Buchannan was grateful for the “smooth and simple” process, but it wasn’t so easy for his son Josh, who was “bummed” that summer was nearing its end.
