School open houses

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Maybe this is more in line with what tink is asking.

My kids in early elementary were always excited to invite me to open house if they had done a special project to show off. One time there was a life size cut out of each child they had decorated and colored in their desk chair and the kids wanted us to see if we could find them. It was cute! Older grades have written parent thank you notes.

Later in the year, our school does a family evening for specific grades. The teachers of subject areas have a fun learning activity for kids and parents to do together.

Yes we will do that next time right now it is just a slide show

 

[lauradis]

When my daughter was in elementary school, one of her teachers promised the whole class ice cream if they got 100% of parents (one/other/both) to back to school night.

I have problems with it the past two years. They begin the night at 6:00 p.m. I don't get home until 7, so I either have to take time off from work or miss it. Last year I took time off, this year, DH went alone.

Their reason it's so early is that "it's a really long day for the teachers." I know I put in 15 hour days occasionally when I'm working on a project. I don't think one long day at the beginning of the school year is too much to ask.

My youngest one was so disappointed when they didn't get an ice cream party.

Kind of a dumb promise/deal to make with your class!

Anyways, I go to before school starts "Meet the teacher".
"open house" which is normally around 6-7 pm the 1st month of school
All progress conferences.

The thing that makes me want to go is simple I care for the education of Our Children.

 

[MrsDuck]

Being invested in my child's education.

 

[sugahjunior]

I was not trying to be nosy I was trying to help out my tea wate attract more parents

Why? Is this a school that traditionally has low attendance for parent-centric events? Or is there just chronically one or two parents that don't show up? Did you teammate ask for this help?

This is a new placement for you correct? I think in a new job setting, it's best to sit back at the beginning and try to understand the situation and the dynamics before rushing headlong and insisting on change. You know the old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it." It may well be that in any group of kids, there are a few parents who no amount of "marketing" will attract them. Crazy work schedules, other commitments at home (other children to take care of, only time to achieve household tasks, etc.), illness in the family are just some examples.

Now, if that's not the case and the school puts on these events and a good number of parents routinely don't show up, I'd have some serious questions about the school itself and it's attitude towards/relationship with the parents. But if so, that's a systemic issue that needs to be addressed by the school (or the district itself) and is likely not going to be solved by the efforts of any one teacher and a volunteer, no matter how well-intentioned.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We stopped going once the children reached high school. With block scheduling, we only end up meeting half of the teachers for the year anyway.

 

[Laura66]

I was not trying to be nosy I was trying to help out my tea wate attract more parents

Not you responsibility. Leave that to the administration.

 

[Coonhound]

I was not trying to be nosy I was trying to help out my tea wate attract more parents

Tink it took me a couple minutes to figure out what "tea wate" was supposed to mean. I know autocorrect can be funny, but it would really help if you would read what you wrote prior to posting so that you can make sure the words you wrote are the same as the words you intended to say. Or, at least read the post after submitting it and you can always go back in and edit the post to fix any autocorrect mistakes.

 

[threecrazykids]

One thing that would help me be more excited about going is knowing with 100% certainty that the Open House isn't really a "welcome to yet another fundraising event".

Every open house, parent teacher conference, etc. has at least 1 if not multiple fundraiser things going on (book fair, raffle for some specialty basket, discount card purchase, etc.) - it's relentless at these events at our school.

The book fair I think is the one that drives me the most insane - they do it during every single PTC in our district and all of the PTC are "student lead". Teachers prep the kids that day during school "Don't forget to have your parents bring money for the book fair tonight during PTC!!! YEAH!!"

I get that the school has to do fundraisers but my kids don't need to be the platform of sales by telling them "if we get every parent to buy at least one book tonight, we all get an ice cream party on Friday".



So - in short - don't make the focus of the Open House about fundraising.

 

[Colleen27]

An open bar.

Honestly I think the parents that are interested and able will go but there's not much you can do to attract those who simply aren't interested or who have work/activity conflicts. I've heard of schools trying raffles and door prizes to get more families to open house or conferences, but it seems to me that's a waste of resources that would be better used on educational enrichment.

 

[JoeyEmmaMomma]

I don't need motivation. I'm a dork and enjoy these things.
It will be a little tricky these year with the baby and an early bedtime, but we will figure it out.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

Tink it took me a couple minutes to figure out what "tea wate" was supposed to mean. I know autocorrect can be funny, but it would really help if you would read what you wrote prior to posting so that you can make sure the words you wrote are the same as the words you intended to say. Or, at least read the post after submitting it and you can always go back in and edit the post to fix any autocorrect mistakes.

What is tea wate supposed to be?

 

[U2_rocks!]

What is tea wate supposed to be?

Team mate.

 

[lizabu]

I personally avoid open houses like the plague. They are total chaos with every parent trying to get FaceTime with the teacher. I will go to the one on one teacher conferences though.

 

[JanaDee]

People are talking about different things in this thread. To me, Open House is when we go to the school before the school year starts to get schedules, find and dump stuff in lockers, meet teachers, pay fees, take pictures, etc.

It is for Middle School/Elementary only.

Ours was yesterday and I went because I am invested in and care about my child's education. Not going is not an option.

 

[aprilgail2]

People are talking about different things in this thread. To me, Open House is when we go to the school before the school year starts to get schedules, find and dump stuff in lockers, meet teachers, pay fees, take pictures, etc. It is for Middle School/Elementary only. Ours was yesterday and I went because I am invested in and care about my child's education. Not going is not an option.

Here open house is about two-three weeks into the school year for grade school and you go, meet the teacher etc. that's the first contact people have with the teacher. Parent teacher conference is the Thursday before the end of the first marking quarter so for jr/sr high that is your first contact with the teacher.

 

[jrmasm]

It works like this at our elementary schools:

Open House is before school starts. Mostly it's for finding the classroom.

Back To School Night is for the Principal to speak, PTO presentation and a general speech by the teacher. One on one contact with the teacher is discouraged but that doesn't stop many parents.

Rarely do we attend the Open House but either my husband or I try to get to Back To School Night.


Middle School and High School:

Open House is for the kids to find their way around the school.

Back To School Night is so parents can briefly follow their children's schedule.

And I don't consider attended either of these events an indication of a parent's involvement in their child's education.

 

[Laura66]

Open house here is where you have a short assembly from the principal welcoming you back with some announcements that are pertinent.

Then you beak into grade, class or pod groups to meet the teachers. They go over their expectations of the students and the curriculum for the school year. You do not meet with the teacher to discuss your child.

I've never missed - but I can understand why some can't. Many of my own teacher friends are having open houses in the districts they teach. A group of my GF's had concert tickets before our open house was scheduled. Of course they went! Either their husbands went or they followed up with an email to their teachers. They're very involved in the school system and I assure you the teachers wouldn't think anything of it.

Teachers can tell if parents are invested in their kids education. They either are or they aren't. Missing a meeting or an open house if they can't make it - for involved parents - isn't a big deal. Those parents that don't care - well I doubt there's much you can do.

Again - Tink it's not your problem. You are a volunteer and should be letting your supervisors tell you what you should be doing. I also get typos and misspellings - but the ones you have are so out there. I don't understand why you don't go back to correct them.

 

[HelenePA]

I wish my schools open house hours were longer.. its usually from 6-8 and with 4 kids its almost impossible to get to all the teachers now We are encouraged to bring our kids along Makes finding their class rooms a LOT easier! lol

 

[Airship Ariadne]

What would encourage you to go as a parent

Being a parent is all...maybe we are some of the rare breed, but we kind of look at it as being important to get to know DD's teachers and their expectations.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

People are talking about different things in this thread. To me, Open House is when we go to the school before the school year starts to get schedules, find and dump stuff in lockers, meet teachers, pay fees, take pictures, etc.

In our area, Orientation is when you get your schedule, find your locker, etc. It is during the day before school starts. This happens at the start of 6th and 9th grade.

Open House is in the evening and is for parents only. You get to meet each teacher, who goes over the class syllabus and expectations. This happens usually the second week of school and is for K - 12.

We don't have fees (most of the time).

Pictures are taken on picture day, during school.