Some parents got more than they bargained for at the Natchez-Adams School District Parent University at Natchez High School Thursday night, but all left with a smile.

Those choosing to attend the math strategies breakout session for their middle school students got a quick flashback to their teenage years when teacher Leigh Ann Mason had them stand up and dance to &uot;Brick House.&uot;

Mason taught the slightly reluctant parents the motions to a geometry dance that covered everything from a point to an obtuse angle.

The dance is something the Robert Lewis Middle School seventh-grade teacher will teach her students when they get to the geometry unit.

&uot;I have not been in class in 25 years,&uot; parent Linda Williams said after doing the dance.

&uot;And I’ve never had so much fun.&uot;

Other, and calmer, breakout sessions included reading, math for primary school students, Mississippi Curriculum Test, benchmarks, Subject Area Testing and community involvement.

All parents attended a general assembly where they heard tips to help their children in school from McLaurin Elementary School Principal Karen Tutor.

&uot;Believe in your child’s success,&uot; Tutor told the crowd of several hundred. &uot;Know your children, talk to your children. Ask them about school about the stories they read.&uot;

Tutor went on to say parents must listen to their children and read with them.

&uot;Ask your children to read to you,&uot; she said. &uot;And read to your children, even eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth graders.&uot;

Tutor told the parents that their children will behave as they see their parents behave and asked parents to give responsibility to the children.

Other tips included scheduling a bedtime, a homework time and understanding grade-level expectations for students.