Preschool Home Visit?
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Anonymous
| Our child's new DCPS teacher emailed today to schedule a homevisit next week-- what is this? To check on my residency? Do I need to prep something? Have a snack? Introverts everywhere have questions. |
Anonymous
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Ha! It's generally to help the child feel comfortable with the teacher (often scheduled before the school year actually starts) and to answer questions in a one on one setting.
I don't think it's about residency. I do think it probably gives teachers some sense of you and your child's environment. We had one a couple weeks into the school year with our child's preK teacher (it was supposed to be before but it was the first of many signs she wasn't the most organized) and will have one with her preK4 teacher since we're moving schools. |
Anonymous
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Nothing to do with residency.
Home visits are done at many schools. The purpose is to forge a partnership between the teacher and the child's family. No need for snacks or preparation. Expect the teacher to introduce herself to you and your child, and to ask you what your goals are for the year, and if you have any particular concern. Some people like them, some people don't. You can choose to opt out. This Foundation underwrites the hoe visiting program in many DC schools, both DCPS and charters (teachers are paid for their time to do them, and there is training and so forth involved). http://flamboyanfoundation.org/focus/family-engagement/parent-teacher-home-visits/ |
Anonymous
| ^^ Obviously meant "home" not "hoe" |
Anonymous
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Prep nothing. It is to ease your child's transition and to answer any questions you may have. My DD is always thrilled to host her teacher. I usually just tidy up and offer water or iced tea. They may bring you a little activity to do with your child, an alphabet or counting game or something.
It does not actually need to be done at your home, it can be in the classroom or on a playground if you are more comfortable. |
Anonymous
| The visit is nice, but doing it at your house is weird. Coffee at the park would be better. |
Anonymous
| If I was a preschool teacher I would hate this. |
Anonymous
It doesn't end there. Still doing it in 2nd grade. |
Anonymous
I'm upper elementary and just started doing them. I actually really enjoyed the ones I've done. They are much more about getting to know the child and family rather than the expectation that I report on their progress. I've done very little of the talking so far. But I get a much fuller picture of my student's life and it's providing a backdrop to our future conversations. When he talks about home I know what it looks like. I highly recommend doing one. I can also assure you we don't want to have to report on anything (residency, welfare, etc.) after! |
Anonymous
| If you have pets, make sure you alert the teacher. We have had to schedule ours offsite a couple of times due to car allergies. |
Anonymous
*cat |
Anonymous
I think I have a car allergy, since I don't enjoy driving. 
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Anonymous
They get extra pay for it. |
Anonymous
Some schools have a foundation that funds the home visits for upper grades i.e. pays the teachers and covers the cost of any books or items that may be given to families. A lot of parents did not have a good experience with DCPS in the past and going the extra mile can help with that. I vividly remember my home visits from when I attended Head Start in the 80s. It can be a special and important time, and it is a way to demonstrate that her teacher and I work together and that her teacher is highly valued and respected by me. DD has always been thrilled with it. It is about the only time she willingly cleans up her toys. She loves to make a little plate of crackers and cheese as well. |
Anonymous
We are at Hearst. Every kid, every year gets a home visit. Some Flamboyan thing. |