Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/859531
Ingredients for the best Back to School Night PAT ESTARZIAU, George W. Bush Elementary, Stockton Teachers Association: "Have students send a handwritten letter to their parents inviting them to Back to School Night. It's more personal and you will increase attendance. "Last year in my classroom, we talked and wrote about how we felt on our first day of school and drew a face to show emo- tion. Parents had to guess which face was drawn by their child. Kids got so excited to see their parents guessing, and parents had a lot of fun. Another year kids drew outlines of their bodies, and cut the outlines to decorate the chairs they sit in. Parents had to guess which cutout was their child. "Have a scavenger hunt where parents hunt for interesting things in the classroom, such as books the children are reading, the work they have done, and the things they have learned. Have the children create the clues." STEPHANIE GUINN, Modesto High, Modesto Teachers Association: "Lots of enthusiasm. Show the parents you love your job. Talk a lot. Answer questions. Emphasize you are on their side." JIM GOBLE: "Be prepared to talk about your expectations, and have examples of student work and projects. Parents can see what you expect, and their children will work harder to meet those expectations. Make a packet of your rules, procedures and expectations, a calendar and a schedule with some pages for parents to take notes. I always do a PowerPoint and try to liven up the presentation with corny soundbites." CHRISTINE HESTER: "In my tote bag I keep everything that I need for survival — my personal organizer, healthy snacks of nuts and fruit, a water bottle, teaching supplies, my keys, a pencil bag to give stu- dents pencils if they don't have them, USB drives, a folder with IEPs that's current for the week, and a folder with current lesson plans. And I always keep a marker in there. "Cole Haan's Zerogrand Perforated Trainers are the best educator shoes. They are light, cute, easy on your feet, and make you feel like you are walking on air. 44 cta.org Back to School B R I G H T I D E A S