With almost three weeks into the school year, tests, quizzes and homework become routine as students began the search for social events on and off campus. Events such as the football and cheer kickoff dinner , Back-to-School-Night and the Night Rally all attempt to relieve the stress and monotomy of school.

The annual football and cheer kickoff dinner recorded the largest attendance in campus history, with an estimated 1000 people on Aug. 24.

An estimated $15,000 was raised by the annual event, which included ticket prices ($15) and a silent auction, including autographed posters, jerseys, helmets and other memorabilia.

“We were happy with the results of the evening,? Chris Schultz, athletic director, said. ?We celebrated the beginning of the year and raised money for our programs.?

Although many students did not attend Back-to-School-Night, the event attracted a large amount of parents on Aug. 27.

?We do so much indirect communication through e-mail, phone calls and notes,? Mike Fenton, math department chair, said. ?Back-to-School-Night provides initial face-to-face contact that makes all our other communication that much more meaningful and effective.?

The night simulates the life of a student for the parents and provides them with the opportunity to meet the teachers and understand their expectations.

“Back-to-School-Night gives gives a face and a place,” Lori Grossman, high school parent, said. “E-mail is impersonal and meeting the teachers is a catalyst to a personal relationship.”

Student leadership plans to start the year with the annual night rally at Woodward Park on a date later to be announced. The games featured aim to build camaraderie among each class as well as the entire campus. The main event for the rally is a game of Pitch Black.

?Last year, we played capture the flag ,? Matthew Nickel, ’08, rally commissioner, said, ?that usually is our tradition, but this year we decided to change.?

Other upcoming events include the first football game on Aug. 31 against Bakersfield Christian, a Clovis Invitational varsity volleyball tournament on Aug. 30 through September 1 and a girls’ tennis match against Immanuel on Sept. 4.