To the editor
A bizarre ritual occurs in Hillsborough every April. Parents of over 4,000 eligible elementary and intermediate school children are instructed to show up at Hillsborough High School in a 11/2-hour time frame to sign up for the school district’s summer enrichment program.
The schools send home a booklet full of classes in March which are varied, affordable and staffed by excellent teachers. On the appointed evening, everyone races to the high school determined to secure a spot in their child’s desired class. The line extends down several hallways and back on itself.
People show up earlier and earlier each year, with lawn chairs, children, homework and dinner, anticipating hours in line. Police even stand by to keep order.
It has turned into a competitive sporting event. Anyone who isn’t tipped off to arrive before 5 p.m. loses out, as do the parents who can’t get off of work early.
In my family’s first attempt at this two years ago, my husband went at 5:30 p.m. with two hungry children, right after work. They stood in line for two hours, only to hear an employee yelling t o the crowd as the classes closed.
By the time they reached the front line, they had to race from table to table, to grab whatever spaces were left.
This year I went at 5 p.m., only to find about 100 people already in line. Several hundred more came after. The general topic of conversation during the two-hour wait was how annoyed everyone was at the entire process.
When we reached the front of the line, people began to rush to the tables. As I registered for one class, my other choices closed.
It’s time for the school district to change the registration process. Maybe a mail in registration would be better, with everyone listing several choices. Or double the most popular classes. My children love the program, and want to continue as long as they are eligible, but I dread several more years of the registration mayhem.
Longfield Drive

