Back to school night -- do the kids go, or is it parents only?

[Barb D]

This is our first public school experience, so I don't know all these obvious bits of protocol!

Do we take the "target" child to Back to School night? All the kids in the family? Or is it only supposed to be the parents?

The big kids are in middle school, and have BTS night on two different nights. The little on is in preschool.

 

[Disney Ella]

The kids are not allowed to go and we get a note sent home saying that children are not allowed. I guess the school figures it would be too much confusion, but all we do is sit at their desks and look at their work, and I think it would be nice if the kids could come and show us everything.

 

[Piglet's Pal]

Back to School Night is for parents only at our school.

 

[Lynn CC]

It's just parents in DS's High School, but I've seen a few kids there sitting in from time to time. . If your not sure just call the office.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We have "open house" night at the middle school. It is for the parents to run thru the kids schedules and meet their teachers.
The teacher talks about what they are doing and projects that are coming up. It is the only time we get to meet all of her teachers.

 

[Cindy B]

Its either or here. You can bring them. Honestly, working in a school (almost educator--not certified teacher YET!). I would rather see the parent involved.--it wouldn't bother me that siblings/infants, child had to come.

My child's previous school definetely stated parents only. They did have a TV /movie playing in one of the classroom for any parent that HAD to bring thier kids. Personally, I hated that. I hated asking friends in another school district to watch my kids... so I just said heck with it, and brought them. They were fine.

This year I am bringning them as well. In my new school district, I know they don't say that children aren't allowed. If the child can be quiet, and not interrupt, and can amuse themselves, its fine. My kids bring books to read,and they read.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I think it varies by school.
At the elementary/middle school where I went most kids went with their parents. The night was usually within the first couple of weeks of school anyway, so it allowed the teacher to put a face with a name, that sort of thing.
At my high school though, kids are not allowed. I think last year they were threatening suspensions if we showed up.
At both schools, its an opportunity for the parents to speak to the teacher about the child. Obviously at the school I'm currently at, the teacher can speak a little more openly than they would if I were standing right there. However, at my old school, when we were allowed to go, the teachers also got to know the students better on that night, and we could voice our own concerns.
It really does depend on the school. Try to find out about protocol at yours.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I never took my kids to Back to School Night, when we went.

 

[skiwee1]

In our elementary school you are not supposed to bring the kids but of course there are some anyway.

 

[mum4jenn]

They ask you not to bring the child here as well but since my dh works night at times I have no choice but to bring her. They just have to deal with it but I am not the only one.

 

[emmy]

Here the kids all go- they are supposed to give us a tour and we have a scavenger hunt type activity for the family. At the end of the night everyone visits the PTO pencil sale and then goes to the cafeteria for punch and cookies- so we get to meet their friends parents too!

 

[CamColt]

At our school its repeatedly asked and noted in bold on the notices that no childrend attend, it is strictly for parents, however I have seen a couple in the past.

 

[disykat]

They go at our school. Most classrooms have a checklist that the students are responsible to show or tell us about - the first one is usually "intoduce your parents to your teacher".

 

[jrydberg]

They don't generally go at my daughter's school, but I don't have much of a choice. They do set aside an area for any kids who do come to play, so it's not a big deal. Just not something they encourage.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

In a perfect world where parents watched their kids and taught them to be respectful I would say yes let the kids go. At my school even though we ask parents to leave their children home most do not pay attention. It is very hard to try and carry on a serious conversation with a parent, who may not be able to come at any other time, with students running around sliding on floors or physically fighting with other students. What is more infuriating is that the parents do not correct them! Once I came to my room at 6:00 parents were not supposed to arrive till 630. I came in and find a student sitting at my desk and going through all my things. The PARENT was allowing it to happen!

It would be nice for those of you who do reign in your kids. I would love for the kids to be able to show the parents around.

 

[RitaZ.]

Parents were told not to bring their children with them to Open House at DD and DS's school , but many did anyway. The teachers always go over their class rules, expectations, homework, etc. I realize that some parents don't have anyone to babysit their children. The thing that I have seen the most is when both parents come to Open House and bring the whole family with them, screaming infants & older children. The teachers have to stop several times and have to keep repeating themselves.

At DD's Open House, one couple told their kids to wait outside of the classroom. The teacher kept the door opened so that their parents could keep an eye on them. It was so disruptive that the teacher finally closed the door and told the girls to only come in if there was emergency.

Now, for Academic Night, everyone is invited. The teachers don't really address the parents during this, we just get to see our children's work and so on.

 

[lvs_eeyore]

We have an open house night and we have never been told not to bring the children. We always have brought the children because we BOTH wanted to meet the teacher, have her meet both of us, and get to know whats going on in the classroom and what's expected. We do expect our kids to behave themselves and do correct them if they get even a tad disruptive.

 

[aprilgail2]

They don't allow kids to come to open house at my daughters school. They actually post someone at the door into the school and if people don't follow that rule they tell them at the door that they can't come in with the kid/kids. They send notices home that is is parents only and it is also noted on the school calendar so they can't say that they didn't know. For the most part people followed the rules, one person parked their car in the front of the school and left their 9 year old and 4 year old in the car sleeping! Most people either leave their kids with the other parent or a sitter. I know some that get together and hire one sitter for 3 or 4 kids and just all use the same one at one of the peoples houses.