It's Time for Back-To-School-Night!

"Please attend!" 

That's right, it's time for "Back to school night", aka "open house". 

These events are an important first step to having a valuable school year for your child and you.  This is difficult for the introvert in me to admit, but relationships are a significant component to most things that matter.  We acknowledge the value of establishing relationships in many different parts of our lives.  So why wouldn't you do the same when it comes to connecting with your child's teacher(s).

Research tells us that students are more engaged when their parent is involved in their school.  

Open House or Back to School Night can come in many different shapes and sizes.  Some schools host events that are for parents only while others have activities for the whole family.  No matter what the specifics might be, the overarching objective is to meet and get acquainted with your child’s teachers.  It's relationship building 101. 

If you can’t attend, reach out to let the teacher know ahead of time. Ask to receive copies of any handouts that might be distributed.  Offer to be available for a chat if the teacher would like to catch you up on topics covered with the group.  If there are questions you would ask if you attended in person, include them in your note.

Review the event details carefully so you are well aware of the type of event it is.  Is the event designed to include your kiddos?

Offer to help:  Ask the teacher(s) ahead of time if there is anything you can do to help.  They may appreciate having snacks available for to enjoy during the event.  Maybe the teacher could use some help preparing the classroom.  Connecting with anyone by offering to help in some way is always a good start.  Even if your help is not needed, your offer is a great way to start the school year.

Surprise your child:  While at Open House, write a note to your child and leave it in the desk. 

You might plan ahead by thinking of ideas you'll include in the note or write it ahead of time.  Consider writing the note on special paper or decorating it in a way that your child will enjoy. 

If there is a family slogan that you use often at home, make sure to include it in the note to your child.  If you are following in the footsteps of last week's blogpost, be sure to mention your family's school year theme in the note.  Click here to read the post.

Attaching something to the note will be a special surprise!  It could be as simple as a sticker, a picture of your family, an extra snack, a new book or bookmark.  Your child will reread many times any note you leave for him.  It will become a valued treasure for the weeks and months to come. 

Already know the teacher?:  Even if you've already worked with the teacher during a previous school year and you feel well connected, it's still a good idea to attend Open House.  Curriculum and teaching strategies are constantly being revised and updated.  This is a good opportunity to make sure your information about the grade level is current.

Teacher Expectations of YOU:

Open House is a good opportunity for you to clarify expectations the teacher has for parents…FOR YOU.

• What are the teacher's homework expectations?  Is homework an amount of time or is it until the work is completed?  What is the teacher's philosophy on parent help during homework?  Does the teacher prefer students completed homework without parental assistance?  Does the teacher want parents to review homework and help correct errors?
• Is there a snack time during the day?:  If the day will include a snack time, be sure to clarify what types of snacks are acceptable to the teacher.  Snack guidelines can vary significantly, even in schools with protocols.
• Are there opportunities for parents to volunteer?  Are there tasks that parents can do to help the teacher -either in the classroom or to be taken home to complete?  Are there activities for parents to do with students in class?
• Does the teacher have projects or field trips planned for the class?:  Special event opportunities for students to participate in (science fair, talent show, community service projects)?
• How does the teacher want you to report absences?:  Besides the school-wide procedures for reporting absences, does the teacher have additional procedures?
• What are the teacher's expectations for missed work?:

Back to School Night IS NOT a time to ask questions about your child's progress.  Ask the teacher when it would be a good time to talk, or even meet, to discuss your concerns. 

After "Back to School Night", take a moment to write a short message to thank the teacher -paper or email are equally thoughtful.  Even though the event may have been scheduled by the school, the teacher will appreciate receiving any positive response sent by you.

Also, tell your child some of the things you saw or learned about during your visit to the classroom.  Even if your child was included in the event, your perspective is different.  Share the different things you noticed.  Spend some time together, wondering about the types of learning activities that might take place during this school year.

Back to School Night is a good first step.  It's important to recognize opportunities for casual communication and building the parent-teacher relationship. Back to School Night is a great time to begin connecting with teachers.

At some point during this school year, there might be a time when you will need to work as a parent-teacher team to address an issue involving your child.  It'll be a better place to begin if you've already met each other.

I hope you have an informative and fun time attending Back to School Night!

Let's create s'more teachable moments, together!

Ron