How%20To%20Have%20A%20Successful%20Back%20To%20School%20Night

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How To Have A Successful Back To School Night

• The Dos and Donts of
• Opening Night

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Contents

• Typical Back to School Night schedule
• What you should cover in your presentation
• Five ways to make yourself more comfortable
• Introductory video on dos and dont when meeting
  parents
• The dos and donts of meeting parents
• References

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Creating A Friendly Environment

• Ask Family Member to sit at students desk
• Have students leave welcome notes
• Have larger chairs available if necessary
• Send invitations to family members
• Promote the night with your students

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Typical Schedule

• 0000Principal's WelcomeOverview of the
  EveningAn Introduction to Standards
• 0020Parents Follow Children's Schedule
• 0220 Parents Finish "School Day"
• 0225Reconvene for Refreshments
• 0240 Closing Comments/Questions from Parents

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What You Should Cover During Your Presentation

• Introduce yourself
• Introduce your assistants
• Present your teaching philosophy
• Be sure to pause for questions and answers at
  several points in your presentation
• Let the parents know how to contact you, and what
  form your communication will use with them

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What You Should Cover During Your Presentation

• Discuss supplies you want the children to have.
• Go over the grading system used in the school for
  your grade level.
• If you don't know the answer to a question, say
  "I don't know, but I will see what I can find out
  and get back to you.
• Start on time Finish on time and be Positive

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Five Ways To Make Yourself Feel Comfortable

• Use your overhead projector
• Create a packet for parents that helps them
  follow along
• Turn over as much time as possible to the parents
  for questions
• Make parents wear "Hello" name tags
• Make up an outline of the topics that you are
  going to present

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Some Good Materials To Have Available

• Have the books the children will be using during
  the school year on each child's desk for the
  parents to view
• Have prior student work displayed around the room
• Have an index card or sheet on each desk for the
  parents to tell you anything that they would like
  you to know about their child
• A calendar with a sign up sheet that allows
  parents to volunteer for upcoming events

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Introductory Video On The Dos And Donts Of
Back To School Night
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When Meeting Parents Always

• Greet them warmly at the door
• Dress in a way that reflects the meetings
  importance and your respect for the parents and
  their child
• Use positive, nonverbal behavior
• Engage parents in planning best ways to help
  their child
• Give parents something to take home with them
• Use clear and descriptive terms
• End positively

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When Meeting Parents Never

• Summon parents into the classroom and direct them
  to sit in front of your desk
• Dress to casually for the occasion
• Send them home empty handed
• Use education jargon or acronyms

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References

• Schedule
• http//www.publicengagement.com/tools/standards/en
  gaging/btsnight/agenda.htm
• Making yourself comfortable
• http//california.teachers.net/chatboard/topic4020
  /7.03.3.14.40.59.html
• What you should cover during you presentation
• http//teachersnetwork.org/dcs/backnigh/present/
• Back to School Night tips
• http//www.thescea.org/partnership20pdfs/B2.pdf