Alignment: Engaging Parents

Directions

The old saying "First impressions count" is a reality. You have one opportunity to greet parents for the first time. You have to make the most of the moment and remove any distractions that could prevent parents' ability to connect with you or to see your class in a positive light.

Straighten up your classroom. Make it look warm, organized, and inviting. Be sure to have extra chairs available if possible. It is unnerving and uninviting to have parents standing around, or to have to rush around at the last minute looking for chairs. Prepare any handouts, forms, or overheads ahead of time. Have a colleague proof them, and have plenty on hand. If you teach bilingual education, decide how you will you address parents of both languages. Make sure any handouts are translated into both languages.

We suggest you put a sign-up sheet for parent conferences on a table with a pencil and an eraser. Schedule each conference for twenty to thirty minutes, and be sure to include multiple dates and time slots. Some parents will not have the opportunity to come after school, so adding several early morning slots will help accommodate these parents. Print the checklist below. Use the checklist to make sure you have completed all activities needed for a successful Open House.

Checklist of Activities

One Week Before the Event

• Send home Open House announcements. You might even want to have students create personalized invitations for their families.

• Gather and display a variety of student work. Self-portraits, short biographical essays, acrostic name poems, book reports on summer reading, and other beginning-of-the-year projects are ideal choices.

• Personalize your classroom walls, and show family members that your students have already accomplishment a lot in a short period.

• If you float or are a migrant teacher, leave materials in each of the classrooms where you teach so you are not rushing between classrooms trying to get ready.

Prepare the Presentation (One Week Before Open House)

• Introduction (Include your name, mention a few success so far, and thank parents who took time out to attend and participate.)
• Agenda of the topics you'll be discussing
• Quick reminder that Open House is not the time for individual conferences (Let parents know that there are sign-up sheets available to schedule a conference. Make sure that you have listed your conference time on the board.)
• Some background on yourself and your expectations for students
• Overview of general curriculum, day-to-day routines, big projects, rules, and policies
• Discussion of how parents can help at home or at school as volunteers

The Day Before Open House

• Practice your presentation several more times.
• Make sure you have a professional and comfortable outfit to wear.
• Give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself that even though you are a new teacher, you are very qualified to teach and will do a great job.
• Tidy up your classroom. Make sure everything is clean, well-organized, and as attractive as possible.
• Get enough rest. It will be a long day tomorrow.

The Day of Open House

• Dress professionally and comfortably.
• Project enthusiasm, optimism, and professionalism.
• Straighten out your classroom one more time.
• Double-check to be sure each of your students has work on display.
• Set out any student texts, classroom books, handouts, and materials you'd like parents to see.
• Place sign-up sheets for parent volunteers and parent-teacher conferences in a designated area.
• Eat a nourishing meal or snack before the event to keep your energy level up.

During Open House

• Smile and greet parents at the door.

• If students are welcome at Back to School Night, have them introduce their parents.

• Involve parents by having information sheets on hand for them to fill out. The info sheets could ask about children's strengths, learning interests, or hobbies. You can also provide pen and notepaper for parents to comment on the work they saw on display. Additionally, make sure the information sheet has a spot for parents to provide contact information, including e-mail and best time of day to contact.

• Stay on schedule. Begin your formal presentation no later than one minute after the scheduled time. Many parents may have evening jobs, other classrooms to visit, or young children to get right back home to.

• It's OK to give parents a glimpse of who you are outside the classroom with a modest display of photos, travel mementos, or other education-related collectibles. Just be sure that whatever personal items you display reflects a positive image that's in sync with being seen as a talented and capable professional.

After Open House

• Send thank-you notes or e-mails to everyone who attended.

• Touch base with parents who could not come by sending home information packets, along with a short note that says you're looking forward to meeting them in the near future. Provide contact information and best times to reach you.

Reflection

Enter your reflection on the open house. What did you do well? What did you do that was adequate? What will you change for the next Open House?