Back To School/Open House

"Back To School" night traditionally comes at the beginning of the school year and Open House is held in the Spring. These are two times during the year when the community, especially students' families, are invited to learn more about (and share in) what the school has to offer.

Back to School Night

Coming early in the school year, this is a wonderful opportunity to capture the enthusiasm, resolve, and renewed commitment of parents and students to a more successful year. Teachers should take this opportunity to build a partnership with the parents and students in which all parties cooperate to maximize the students' learning. Some suggestions of ways to help develop this cooperation by demonstrating professionalism, recognizing the vital role the parent plays in the educational process, and demonstrating a desire to enlist parent help are:

• Parents should know they have entered the classroom of a professional. Frame and display photocopies of your college diploma (or other degrees if you have them), teaching credential, any awards or certificates related to teaching or your subject field. These can help to inspire confidence and portray the teacher as qualified to instruct the class.
• Materials and resources that will be used should be available for parents to examine.Also it is a good idea to have extra copies of the parent/student letter you sent out earlier. This will allow parents to review the course of study, procedures, expectations, grading standards, etc. A list of assignments that students have had / will have is also helpful.
• If possible, have a list of suggestions on ways the parent can help the student achieve success. Solicit parent suggestions on ways you can help meet the needs of their student.
• Provide information to the parents on the best time to phone to reach the teacher (probably your conference period). Having a business card with the school phone number and the time of your conference period would make a professional and business-like impression (with today's computers, that's a simple do-it-yourself project). It is generally much easier for a working parent to reach the teacher at a given time than for the teacher to reach a parent who is working.
• A sign-in and sign-up sheet should be provided at a welcome table near the door. Sign-in allows the teacher to acknowledge parent attendance, and possibly give credit to the student. The sign-up allows parents to set a time for a conference or to offer help if they would like to do so.

Typically the teacher's role at Back-To-School Night is to welcome parents and make a brief presentation about the class. Then allow lots of time for questions.

Open House

Open House in the Spring is a time to show off and celebrate the year's learning and accomplishments. It is also a time to build up excitement among younger siblings for the years to come. It is also an opportunity to give thanks to all those whose efforts contributed to the learning process.

Best examples of student work from throughout the year should be placed on display. If students have kept portfolios, these should also be on display, with each student selecting a piece of work to attach to the front.

This is not a time to discuss problems, but a time to celebrate learning. As you did with Back-To-School Night, a welcoming sign-in /sign-up area will allow guests to sign-in and to make appointments for more private discussions they may desire.

For both Back-To-School Night and Open House grades and records are best kept locked away for the evening, to be taken out and shared with parents and/or students in a private conference.

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