Back to School Night Tips!
Back to School Night Tips
Oh back to school night (BTSN!), it’s not my favorite time if I am being honest. It feels so stressful to have to present a set up room and school year plan when you’re just trying to get your footing and get the kids situated.. Then suddenly you are on display for parents and guardians and tons of questions! Whew. It’s a lot. Here are some tips for BTSN that help us make it feel a little more successful.
At the heart of it, BTSN can feel like the first day of school for guardians and is their main (sometimes only) peek into what school looks and feels like for their kiddos. With that in mind, the goals for BTSN for me remain:
A) Invite them into our world and affirm we are on the same team for their child/ren
B) Communicate my expectations of them and how communication will work for the year
C) Stay afloat for myself amidst juggling the beginning of the year set up with the kids!
So without further ado, here are my top 10 tips for BTSN:
Name tags, welcome station
It gives people something to do, it helps connect names to faces for you, it lets parents mingle, too.
Combine with another class if possible
If you share a lot of the same information it can be really nice to do it this way and tag team!
Kids work / something up - have them help with this lift!
Having the kids make their name art, get to know you’s etc and having that up is always helpful. It gives everyone something to look at and the families a peek into the kiddo’s transition into the start of the year.
A slideshow/ppt
It’s easiest for the visuals, the slew of info, and to keep you on track.
It’s also professional vibes and clear/something you can refer back to or share if you need to!
Communication about how you will communicate for the year in the ppt/ slideshow
This is its own point because this is SO important! Communication is at the crux of everything. Letting families know you don’t email during the day (you are with their kids!) or that meetings are to be scheduled for the phone first, then in person, or you turn your email off at 5pm and check it the next morning before work.. Whatever your boundaries are and communication style is, it is essential to let them know what to expect ahead of time. It’ll keep you in check, too:).
Pack your water bottle
A fidget! For health! For a break when you need to pause before answering a question!
We are a team!
Saying this multiple times during the evening and that you are excited to be on this team with them for the year is always a good idea. It’s a special relationship and team to be on!
Have a firm end time , don’t linger
If you linger, you can be stuck forever and it can be turned into who can grab you for a parent teacher conference after back to school night dance.. Whatever time the event is supposed to end, say that at the beginning, give 10 and 5 minute warnings, and wrap up and pack up when it is time to go! You have to teach the next day!
Have plans for the next day/morning set
This is a lifesaver if you can do it. BTSN is a long night during chaotic back to school time. Any way you can make the next morning easier for yourself is a kind thing to do for your future self <3.
Have a treat at home
Any treat will do! You deserve it.
I promise I don’t work for them but I’m currently non-dairy thanks to breastfeeding and a baby whose body currently doesn’t like dairy and these Trader Joe's Hold the Dairy are delicious, just sayin’!
Sending you all our bestestest right now. We know this is a chaotic time of year even just getting the basics going. Remember good enough is good enough!
<3