If a picture is worth a thousand words, a visit to our campus here in Plymouth, MN might be priceless. Open House gives Providence faculty and staff a chance to welcome anyone considering being part of a “school like no other,” Join us this evening from 6:00-8:15 PM for an informal informational session. Guests will have a unique opportunity to visit, ask questions, and learn more about our school.
A lot of care and preparation goes into hosting these types of events. Mrs. Debra Spears, Director of Marketing and Admissions, noted, “we typically prepare for Open House about a month in advance, primarily to secure parent and student volunteers”. Spears went on to say, “though we advertise from the beginning of the school year [on social media, via email, and in print], we have found that word of mouth is the best way to advertise”.
The work has paid off. Mrs. Susan Truax, Enrollment Assistant, highlighted some exciting changes as a part of this year’s function; “Based on current RSVPs, we are expecting higher attendance than ever”. The faculty and staff are prepared to welcome over 40 prospective families this evening. Though guests will enjoy a tour of the school and its many facilities (as in years past), Truax added, “we’ve never had an Open House in our breathtaking Performing Arts Center”.
Visiting families will have an opportunity to speak with a teacher from lower, middle, or upper school, depending on their interests and needs. An instructor from each grade level is available in their respective classrooms to engage visitors’ questions. Guests may also wish to speak with a representative from the MS and US curriculum departments and service areas, such as Counseling and Athletics.
The work is challenging, Truax says. Not only do admissions staff never truly know exactly how many attendees we will welcome at an Open House, Truax remarked, “It’s difficult to capture the beauty of life during the school day once students have gone home for the afternoon.”
Mr. Michael Plucinski, Upper School Physics Teacher, has volunteered at several Open House evenings in the past and is a part of tonight’s welcome team as well. He and several other instructors do their best to overcome the challenge highlighted by Truax and to give a glimpse into the school day and academic curriculum at PA by showcasing student projects. He states, “displaying student work also gives good starting points for conversation with visitors”. As a PA staff and parent of a lower school student, Plucinski can appreciate both sides of an evening like tonight. He remarked that the teacher panels at Open House, “allow [him] to share [his] experience at PA with prospective families”.
Ultimately, PA faculty and staff feel a sense of pride and genuine joy in hosting a successful event. Spears commented, “seeing visitors engaging in conversations with current students, parents and faculty about the school, getting excited about the school, completing an application, and ultimately choosing PA as a school to help their child grow in their faith, knowledge and virtue, is the most rewarding part of our work”.