On Friday, September 6, 1,768 individuals braved rainy weather to attend University View Academy’s (UVA) first open house of the school year held for students in south Louisiana at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. As a virtual school, the annual open house at UVA provides a unique in-person opportunity to meet peers, staff members, and members of the leadership team. Students and families can also ask questions, explore new classes and programs, and catch up with old teachers and friends.
“Seeing my students in person at open house is the best part of the job,” said UVA elementary school teacher Elizabeth McLin. “You realize that you can create those connections with students online that you can also create in a regular classroom.”
UVA teachers, grouped by grade level, often dress up according to themes such as football, Dr. Seuss, safari, luau, and more. This year, many teachers incorporated the 2024 Summer Olympics and UVA’s theme for the 2024-25 school year, “Changing the Game,” into their plans. Games, activities, and photo opportunities were organized to engage with families. Open house also offers a gathering space to host events such as the Scholastic Book Fair and charitable donation drives organized by UVA’s student clubs.
Many students and families were excited to participate in the inaugural Nintendo Super Smash Bros. tournament hosted by UVA’s esports club. “The open house ‘Smash Bash’ came from the idea of wanting to host an exciting back to school event for students,” said esports coordinator Adrieanne Moliere. “It took a team effort of teachers and technology personnel to put it together, but I really wanted to do a tournament where all grade levels got to participate. At the end of it all, everyone was full of smiles, support, and best of all, had a great time.”
UVA hosts two open house events each fall. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the final 2024 open house in Alexandria.
