Within a month, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, neighbors, and interested bystanders will trundle down the halls of their child’s school and try to fit into desks and chairs that are way too small for bigger people. They were invited to experience a bit of their child’s schedule, meet the teachers, and find out what the kid will be learning this year.
Considering you get—at most—ten minutes with each teacher, how do you maximize that time?
Bring the kid…this time
I’ve written earlier about how unprofessional it is to bring the child to a parent conference, but Open House is quite different. You want the view of the student as you work through the schedule. First, it’s just easier to have them guide you rather than relying on a written schedule. Second, the experience with them can tell you a lot about their daily life.
You’ll find out that they really don’t have much time to get across campus for 3rd period, which is why you’ve been getting tardy notices. Sitting in the class, you can see a bit of their interaction with the teacher and other students, if they happen to be there. Finally, just like during the day, they’ll be excited to go to the classes they like and will trudge to the ones they don’t.
But don’t talk about them
This is not the time for an impromptu parent conference. Frankly, it’s rude. The teacher has 10 minutes to get through their spiel and answer any questions that might come up. Between class changes, everyone wants to introduce themselves. Now is not the time to talk about Jimmy’s low grade on the last quiz.
Here’s what you can do. In that between-class time, preferably as you’re walking in rather than walking out, introduce yourself and drop off your business card. Smart teachers will have a sign-in sheet that asks for contact information. If they ask for help in any way (room mother/father, supplies, volunteers for fields trips..), seriously consider it and, if possible, let the teacher know that you’re willing to step in.
Then go sit down.
Take notes
Very few parents think to take notes at Open House, which is surprising considering the wealth of information that is made available.
Think about it. Discipline plans are probably discussed. Curriculum certainly is. Contact information is given. Even if that information went home on the first day, changes or elaborations might have been needed. Bring a notebook.