Back to School Night. It’s a West Coast concept, but it makes so much sense. Gather parents into their child’s classroom just before or right after school begins. Let the teacher introduce him or herself, give an overview of the curriculum for the grade level, discuss classroom expectations, rules, and procedures, and let parents know the educational philosophy that drives the school / classroom.
Here in Texas, the trend is to do Meet the Teacher events. It’s a meet and greet so the kids can feel comfortable in their new classroom, see their new teacher, and alleviate their back to school jitters. It’s a fine idea and serves a valuable purpose, however it does nothing to build community or partnerships with parents.
Learning is a partnership between school and home. What better way to facilitate that partnership right out of the gate than by telling parents “we value you” though a back to school night event that welcomes them in and shares with them how to help their children be successful?
Newton Rayzor Elementary School in Denton ISD had its first annual Back to School Night event last night. It was a hybrid of the West Coast Back to School Night and the Texas Meet the Teacher. Parents, teachers, and children gathered in the cafeteria. The principal, Carlos Ramirez, welcomed the school community back, then proceeded to introduce the entire Newton Rayzor staff by grade level and specialties. Kids were released to pre-arranged activity areas where specials teachers and other faculty supervised while classroom teachers presented Power Point presentations for the parents of their incoming students. There was a Q&A period, then parents collected their kids and went back to the classrooms for the Meet the Teacher time.
It was a vibrant hour and a half that started the school year off with anticipation, excitement, and enthusiasm. Back to School Night. Bravo to Newton Rayzor Elementary for hosting such a fantastic event and truly building partnerships with parents.
For more information on Newton Rayzor Elementary, an International Baccalaureate Candidate School, visit their web site.
