Revamping Fall Parents’ Weekend

        Last Friday, on October 13, Lawrenceville families were invited to join their children on campus and experience life at Lawrenceville. In preparation for the arrival of parents and families, the Bath House Café was freshly painted, and new plants were installed around campus. 

        This year, in addition to meeting with student advisors, parents were invited to sit in on classes with students. Each of the Houses also planned receptions for the parents on Friday evening, where parents could familiarize themselves with the Heads of House, duty members, and other parents and students in the House. The Periwig Club also performed the fall musical, Amélie, on Thursday and Friday evenings, which families were encouraged to attend. 

        For many parents, sitting in on classes allowed them to gain firsthand experience with the Harkness method that distinguishes Lawrenceville from most other schools. Clareta Chia P ’25 attended classes with her daughter, Kiara Lam ’25, saying she “enjoyed living Kiara’s lifestyle,” appreciating the opportunity to experience Lawrenceville through the eyes of a student. Nichole Firestone P ’25 echoed Chia’s sentiment, calling Friday classes a unique way to understand how her daughter, Lilah Firestone ’25, “learns using the Harkness method.” Celine Fong ’25 noted that classes “felt different” with parents in attendance, as they made classrooms a “more formal setting.” Fong noted that she was very glad that her mother—who came to classes with her—now “understands what [her] daily life here is like through experiencing it first hand.” 

        Frances Brooks ’25 and her mother, Michelle Brooks P ’25, gained new insight into each other’s lives through sitting in classes together on Friday. Brooks currently takes A History of American Democracy in Cases, which is based on a similarly-structured Harvard University course taught by Professor David Moss. Brooks’ mother happened to have taken Moss’ college course during her time at Harvard, and Brooks noted how it was “fascinating for her [mother] to see how the course was adapted for high schoolers using the Harkness learning style.” 

        Overall, Parents’ Weekend gave families a glimpse into the academics, arts, athletics, and social life that defines the Lawrenceville experience.