Dolores Vazquez has been a Back to School Night regular for the past nine years.

Her daughter, Luisa Millard, is a sixth-grade student at Stella Brockman School, which held its beginning of the school year function on Thursday.

“It’s great to come by and see the teachers,” Vazquez said.

Ditto that for her son, Andrew Millard, who is a freshman at Sierra High.

“This is my first time back (at Stella Brockman) and it was cool (to see everyone again),” he said.

Next up for Vazquez is her son’s Back to School Night at Sierra planned for next week.

Like most parents, she managed to get off work just in time to hear Principal Candace Espinola welcome those in attendance.

They were also introduced to the staff prior to the classroom visits.

As usual, Back to School Night for kindergarten- through- eighth- grade students included information booths along with food and refreshments.

The Parents-Teachers Association provided hot dogs and drinks. The Boys Scouts of America, the Manteca Unified School District Nutrition Services, and the MUSD Indian Education, to name a few, also gave out information for those interested.

Inside the music room, Janis Music Co. and CK Music were on hand to address rental, sales, lessons and and other music-related services.

“It used to be that the girls were interested in playing flute or clarinet while the boys took to the trumpet and trombone. That’s not the case anymore,” said George Janis, whose business at 138 W. Yosemite Ave. will soon celebrate its 50 years of service.

He added, “I think boys and girls today are smarter – they’ve figured how to get closer to one another.”

Music teacher Terri Richichi, meanwhile, had a chance to meet one-on-one with parents and students to discuss expectations for the school year.

She’s in charge of chorus and fine arts while Tammy Castersen handles the advanced band.

The Stella Brockman band is scheduled to perform at the Sept. 7 Sierra High football game alongside the Timberwolves band.