What Teachers Need To Know

What Information Can Help Us Meet Expectations and Be Successful?
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Holiday Park First Week Back For Teachers

Tuesday, July 31st

Site PD 7:45 - 3:30

Wednesday, August 1^st

7:40 - Report To Holiday Park

On-site PD - more info to follow

7:30 - Bus pick up for all

 staff - ride to GCU for District Welcome Back

11:30 - Bus back to Holiday from GCU

1:00 - 3:30  teachers on-site PD

Thursday, August2nd

Site PD 7:45 - 3:30 

Friday, August 3rd

7:40 – Report to Holiday Park

Teacher Work Day

Saturday, August 4^th

Campus open 9:00 to 4:00

Monday, August 6^th

7:40 – Report to Holiday Park

Teacher Workday/Staff Pictures

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This is our first and best chance to make a good impression. What parents REALLY want from an open house and/or meet the teacher night:

In my experience, what family members expect is relatively simple:

1)   A clean and organized classroom that their child takes ownership of
2)   A warm and friendly teacher who welcomes them
3)   An informal, easy-to-understand communication and handouts that provide a good sense of what the year will be like

Parents have no idea what to expect from a teacher their children have never had before.  Most of them are not worried about how often you’ll be giving science tests or what materials you’ll use to teach addition. They want to know:

*   Does the teacher like my child?
*   Does the teacher care about the kids and enjoy teaching?
*   Does the teacher want to support me and my child?
*   Is the teacher going to be fair and easy to work with?

These things are communicated through the energy you put out and the environment you create in the classroom.  Some of it can be communicated verbally, but most is conveyed in your demeanor.  Smile!  Smile!  Smile!  Act relaxed even though you’re not.  Listen attentively to parents and treat their questions and concerns seriously.  They are not your superiors there to observe you, so don’t be intimidated.  They are your equals, so treat them with kindness and respect.  Most of them are extremely grateful to have you in their children’s lives, and want to support you in having a successful Open House and school year.

1) Prepare A Classroom Letter

If it’s your first year teaching, don’t feel obligated to announce that, but definitely don’t lie, either!  Some teachers show their family photos, which can be very endearing and encourages parents to view you as an approachable, real person.  Some teachers like to tell why they chose the grade level they did and what they think is special about it. 

Make sure your Classroom letter includes the following:

         Introduction of yourself

         Your hopes and dreams for the class this year

         Weekly schedule for specials

         Wish list for classroom supplies

         Be sure to mention anything out of the ordinary that you plan to do (specific field trips, etc.) that sets your class apart.

      Clearly identify the methods of communication you will use (newsletters, email lists, class web page, daily agendas, and so on).

 

Don’t focus on the operational aspects of class. Rules, grading policies, syllabi, and classroom expectations can be covered in a handout which parents can read and refer to long after the evening is over. I can’t stress it enough: Reassuring parents is what matters most.

2) The classroom environment. Even though it's early in the year, we still make sure that we set up an environment we know students will like, will engage them, challenge them, and make them think about what's to come. It works that way with parents as well. They want to be able to picture their own kids learning in the room. The environment itself can play a role in their yearlong support. The effort to get it ready is vital. It is important for you to prepare some purposeful opportunities for the evening. The activities you prepare for parents and students are their first chance to feel comfortable with you or get to know the room – This is a time for students to get a “feel” for you and the classroom. The students will be very excited to meet you and get to know you. However, they really don’t know what to do once inside your classroom. To help the families to feel comfortable set up several activities that teach you something about the child, but help teach the child something about you and their new classroom. Some ideas include:

         Bingo

         Scavenger Hunt

         Who Am I activity

3)  Outline your approach to behavior management and class rules.

Make your expectations clear now so parents know what to expect!  For example, if you never accept late homework explain your philosophy up front.  Do not run down a list of no-no’s, but do explain that we make class rules and consequences collaboratively with the students. Once those have been established you will send it home for the parents to sign. Some teachers tell parents that after a grace period, which usually ends around September, they enforce the rules without exception in order to be fair and to teach the students responsibility and accountability.  Make sure you end this communication on a positive note by explaining the reward systems and fun activities you have planned for the students (Fun Friday, etc.).

There is no need to go into depth about school discipline at this time. That can go home to parents as a handout.

Making a personal connection with each family

Ideally, you should be able to connect with parents and make them feel valued and appreciated in the same way you treat your students as unique individuals.  That can be difficult to do during Meet The Teacher when you’re short on time, but please try to always say something welcoming and positive to each parent as you meet.