Back to School Night Tips
Tips for getting off to a good start
This information brought to you by NYSUT.
You’re not alone
If you’re a little nervous about that upcoming “Back to
School” night or “Open House,” you’re not alone.
New teachers call it one of the scariest parts of their
new career.
Truth be told, even some of the most accomplished
teachers find it challenging.
“I’ve been doing it more than 20 years and I still can’t
eat dinner that night,” confessed one longtime Long
Island teacher. “It’s one thing to deal with the kids.
It’s quite another to face a roomful of parents.”
Barbara Egan, a staff member in the union’s Effective
Teaching Program, says it’s important to view the “Back
to School” night for what it is: a fresh start and a
perfect way to kick off a productive and enjoyable year.
It probably will be the first contact you have with many
parents. If you teach at the secondary level, it may be
the only contact you have with them.
New York Teacher interviewed several experienced
classroom teachers, including ETP instructors, for their
strategies on how to make the evening a win/win
situation for you and the parents. Here are some
suggestions to keep in mind.
Send out invitations; let students help prepare
Enlist your students to help you prepare displays,
select work for folders, write a short note to their
parents, or act as hallway hosts during the open house.
ETP instructor Donna Christmas, a longtime science
teacher at South Colonie Middle School (near Albany),
says teachers there work in teams to personally call and
invite parents. Others boost attendance by sending
personal invitations or postcards hand-addressed by
students. Some districts arrange for older students to
offer babysitting so more parents can come.
Don’t “wing it.”
Rehearse at what you’ll say. Practice an opening and a
closing – many people don’t do that. Prepare an outline
or checklist of areas you want to cover. Plan how you’ll
keep track of time. Elementary teacher Julie Burnetter,
a member of the Shenendehowa TA in Saratoga County,
plays soft background music, and when the tape goes off,
she knows she has five minutes to wrap up. If you’re
limited to 10-15 minutes, be sure to time yourself at
home.
Meet parents at the door.
Don’t sit at your desk. Make parents feel welcome – be
sure to thank them for coming, use a warm voice, make
eye contact and remember to smile. To add a personal
touch, you might display “day in the life” snapshots or
make a video showing students at work in the classroom.
Outline your goals.
This is the perfect opportunity to explain your policies
and expectations. Jay Krass, a teacher in North Salem,
Westchester County, suggests explaining the curriculum
and major themes, plus your expectations for homework,
attendance, and behavior.
Recruit parental support.
Be sure to remind parents their support and involvement
is important. This is a great time to recruit volunteers
for various activities and schedule parent-teacher
conferences, if applicable. Have sign-up sheets
available. This will save you time later.
Allow time for questions. Discourage “personal
conferences.”
Give parents a chance to ask general questions but be
sure to firmly say “tonight is not the time for personal
conversations about your child.” Kindly explain you’re
still getting to know the kids – and tell parents the
best way and time you can be reached to discuss any
individual concerns. This avoids that huge line-up of
parents at the end of the evening!
Give parents something to take home.
Be selective, whether it’s a brief course outline,
general district information or a union brochure on how
to help children with reading. Several teachers
suggested sending a follow-up letter to all parents,
including those who were not able to attend. |
