How to get ready for the dreaded “PARENT’S ARE COMING!” Night!
Screaming Child
AKA BACK-TO-SCHOOL Night!
We ALL get nervous speaking to a room of parents! I can speak to a group of first graders all day every day…but a roomful of parents?
My palms sweat & my brain “freezes” up!
(Wear good deodorant, use a breath mint, and wear comfy shoes!)
So..THEY are coming.
Today’s tip is about getting parents to sign up for everything you need at BAck to School Night.
CAPTIVE AUDIENCE!
I work in a Title 1 school.
Most parents DON’T WANT TO COME to SEE ME!
So I have to make it very “inviting”.
I tell the kids to “drag” their parents to talk to me.
(Not literally!) Two hands!
I give stickers to kids who “hand their parents the BTS night NOTE!
And then…
Number 1
Have Food at Back to School Night.
A bowl of apples, a plate of cookies, popcorn, Mini bottles of water!
CHOCOLATE CANDY!
They will come for food!
I also put the Class DOJO sign-up link on a BIG POSTER
NEXT to the FOOD! Eat, text, and make the teacher HAPPY!
Number 2
Even though parent conferences are MONTHS away..
MAKE a chart of dates & times YOU are available,
AND HAVE THEM SIGN UP FOR A CONFERENCE at Back to School Night!
(You will send a reminder note as it gets closer..let them choose first!)
Put out sticky notes & pens for those who want to write it down AND
a poster to remind parents to TAKE A PICTURE WITH THEIR PHONE of the conference chart, to remind them!
Number 3
If you have any WISH LISTS or things you might need…
HAVE THEM SIGN UP TO PROVIDE CLASSROOM ITEMS and/or VOLUNTEER at Back to School Night!
( We can always use glue sticks, expo markers, tissues, etc)
AND LAST…
If YOU want volunteers for classroom work, parties, field trips, etc…
HAVE THEM SIGN UP!
This is the ONLY night they will ALL be in YOUR classroom!
USE IT!
Sometimes a CAPTIVE AUDIENCE…is a good thing!
So.. Just a quick reminder
- Rewards for students whose family attends. DANGLE the CARROT!
- Bring FOOD and/or drinks.
- Have ALL Sign-UP charts READY
DOJO, Conferences, Wish Lists, Volunteers, etc.
4. Breathe, bring water for YOU! Smile.
For more info on BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT:
Good Luck!
