Since WHEN can't kids go to Open house at school?

[Caropooh]

Ours is for both kids and adults here, at least at elementary and MS level. Our oldest started HS this year, so I don't know yet about that. I've never known it different. This year we are even having a ground breaking for the rebuilding of the elementary school. All the kids are going to get hard hats, so of course they are invited.

 

[Ilovemylife]

Our open houses are specifically for the kids ~ they bring in their supplies, meet the teacher, pick out their desks and lockers and get to hang out in their new classrooms for a bit.

They hang out while Mom and Dad pay for lunches/milk and get the 200 pieces of paper that seem to come home during the open house.

Our open house is typically the week before school starts.

I can't imagine *not* bringing my kids to something that is specifically for them.

 

[MELSMICE]

No, do not write her a apology note. I have never heard of that and personally, if the student "isn't allowed" to come to open house that was to meet their teachers, my kids wouldn't be going to that school.

My DD10's school has open house in which she gets a postcard from the teacher for that year saying when and what time Open House is. We go, meet the teacher,etc. Then they have Back to School night about a month later.

From reading other posts, it seems that different areas have different ideas of what an open house is. Some invite the students, while others ask that they not come.

When I was younger Open House was for the students to show their parents around the classroom & school. For my children it has always been an informational night.

My personal opinion is that it would be nice to have a parent info night at the beginning of the year & an Open House mid to end of year showing what the children have done.

 

[paintnolish]

We always went with when we were little, but now my dc's school has a no kids policy. very annoying since dh had class that nightand Icouldn't find a sitter for one hour! My dmom came down, tho, and took me to dinner- bonus!

 

[juligrl]

I know that open house at the elementary level here is for the kids to show mom and dad around their school, their desk (very important) and special projects and it's a good chance for parents to be able to put a face with the teacher's name.

The school district I grew up in was the same way on the elementary and upper elementary levels (K-6). Jr High and Sr. High was just for parents. They would go from class to class following our schedules - and directed ny the bell - and get a syllabus from each teacher and a introduction of what we would be learning that year. Again - no students were allowed to attend open house at the 7th grade level. I think that's pretty much the same in the school district we're in now.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Thanks for all the replys...
My daughter is in first grade.
Like I said, we did get a paper home. But at our own fault..we didn't read it closely enough. We had seen what time it was a bazillion times when driving past the school on the bulletin and we just skimmed the paper for the times. As it did come home in a HUGE folder packed with a thousand other papers to fill out.
It NEVER IN A MILLION years occured to me not to bring our daughter. We always went as kids, and up til this year at every other school, we had taken her. Just seemed VERY VERY Rude the way the teacher handled it.
Oh well....
moving on. (lol)
Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've never heard of bringing children to Open House, honestly. It's a chance for the teacher and parents to meet, discuss what goes on in the classroom, and answer questions. It's not even appropriate to discuss individual children, never mind bring them.

 

[storzo]

I'm almost 40 and my parents never took me or my older siblings. It was an adult event.

Same here.

The day before school was Orientation which was for parents and students.

About a month into the year was Open House which was for parents.

 

[horseshowmom]

OP, I wouldn't even feel bad if I were you. It sounds like it was an honest mistake. You didn't read the note carefully enough. I'm sure you looked at it, saw "Open House" and just scanned the rest of it for basic information (date, time, etc.). This was your first one at this school. I can see myself having done the same thing, and I work for the school system.

I'm like some of the others who have never heard of an Open House where students weren't a part of it (all through the time I was in school and the 22 years I've taught or been an administrator). It was just a mistake.

The main problem I have here was the teacher's reaction to that mistake. She needs to get over herself and act like a professional. I understand that they have reasons for why they do it that way, and it is certainly their right (although I'm surprised it doesn't cut down on attendance since many people don't have sitters available), BUT under no circumstances should she have behaved the way she did. She's lucky you didn't ask to meet with the principal about having been treated so poorly.

 

[SeaShelley]

In my neck of the woods, Open House has always been for everyone....kids and parents - hence the word "open". Parent / Teacher conferences were reserved for - guess what - parents and teachers only......

I understand that it was explained in the announcement about no kids, but really they should consider changing the name of the event.

 

[sandy6879]

I'm thinking this is a regional thing. Interesting.

Around here, the Open House is actually another name for Parent Night. They do have the chance for the kids to come in during the elementary years with a back to school night but the Open House is pretty much for parents only. It happens a few weeks after school starts so the teachers already have an idea of the kids in their classes.

I do remember seeing babysitters set up in the school gym so if a parent couldn't get a sitter, they had that taken care of at the school for free. It wouldn't occur to me to bring my child to the Open House because that's always how it was when I was growing up and the way it continues today.

I do agree about the teacher's reaction being unnecessary, but keep in mind, you never know what had happened right before. I'm sure we've ALL been snappy to someone who didn't deserve it at some point. Let it go for now - if it continues, then I might mention something.

 

[dreamer17555]

We have open house before school starts up- kids and parents meet the teacher, visit the classroom, ect.

Once school starts we have a a parent night which talks about expectations and so on.

Though I do remember in Ohio going to my step sisters Open House after school had been in session and she showed me her desk and art and the teachers chatted nicely with the parents.

Maybe the school should call it parent night to alleviate any confusion.

-Becca-

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

OP, I wouldn't even feel bad if I were you. It sounds like it was an honest mistake. You didn't read the note carefully enough. I'm sure you looked at it, saw "Open House" and just scanned the rest of it for basic information (date, time, etc.). This was your first one at this school. I can see myself having done the same thing, and I work for the school system.

I'm like some of the others who have never heard of an Open House where students weren't a part of it (all through the time I was in school and the 22 years I've taught or been an administrator). It was just a mistake.

The main problem I have here was the teacher's reaction to that mistake. She needs to get over herself and act like a professional. I understand that they have reasons for why they do it that way, and it is certainly their right (although I'm surprised it doesn't cut down on attendance since many people don't have sitters available), BUT under no circumstances should she have behaved the way she did. She's lucky you didn't ask to meet with the principal about having been treated so poorly.

You know what, your right! You would think that it would cut down on attendance. (come to think of it, there were quite a few empty desks.You would think they would want AS many parents there as possiable.

And yes, "Open House" does seem like a very strange name for something that is JUST for parents and teachers. Dosen't seem very OPEN!

 

[Crystal0608]

Our Open House is meant for the kids to come. You show them were their class is, look for the nametag for where they sit, & find their cubby. The teacher has a craft or somewhere where they can play in the class while the parent signs in, sits in a tiny chair, & fills out lots of papers. The teacher comes by each student & parent(s), talks for a few minutes & takes the completed folder.

 

[missj1975]

Interesting thread. I'm 32 and my school never had an open house. I must come from a really backwards town.

I find it odd that the OP wasn't suppose to bring her child but she noticed other parents with babies and toddlers. She shouldn't feel too bad since she wasn't the only one bringing a child. I too would think open houses are for everyone, hence the term "Open House."

 

[LotsOfQuestions]

And people wonder why children these days don't follow the rules.

I am amazed at the amount of parents on this thread that have posted that the rules don't apply to them; that they wouldn't get a baby sitter, it is a public building so forget the rules; I "accidentally" brought my kid, I don't care if they said "no kids", I make no apologies, I am bringing my kid anyway, yada, yada, yada.

It is no wonder the teacher was irritated, although she should not have been rude.

I just wonder how rude the teacher really was, or was the OP just feeling guilty for "accidentally" bringing her kid and then projecting that guilt and seeing stuff that wasn't there.

For the OP, I wouldn't worry about it. If it was truly an accident, then that was what it was. No need to feel bad about it.

It is the parents that puposely bring their kids, even when they know they are not invited, that are making me shake my head here. Find a neighbor, share a sitter, it can be done.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably let it drop.

It was an honest mistake on your part, which you tried to rectify.

Perhaps the teacher had had a long day and was in a bad mood. Not an excuse but an explanation...they are human and do get cranky just like the rest of us.

I'd just move on with the year and not thin another thing about it.

From where I come from, children are not allowed at BTS night, it is for parent information etc.

Live & learn, right.

 

[daisax]

MY first thought was that as soon as you got there and saw there were no kids, why didn't one parent go home or stay outside with your child. Then you said there were babies and young kids there... but even then, if there were NO school age children there, I would have looked around and said "oops, something's wrong" not "oh well, let's all go anyway."

That said, there's no reason the teacher couldn't have been nicer about it, and providing a child care option would have been an ideal solution for ALL the parents.

 

[okeydokey]

Good thing that's not the case at my kids' school. If DH works nights I guess I would just have to skip it.

 

[darlak]

My children are 29, 24, 21 and 14. I have never NOT taken them to an Open House at their schools. All parents bring their children, from infancy on up. I'm just surprised to see that so many other places do it so differently.

It's just one of those random things you just assume are the same everywhere until you read something like this thread. Interesting.