Open Houses?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone- as DCPS posts the open house schedule, I was hoping more seasoned parents can share more about how these work. Do you bring children to them or are they just for parents? IF the latter, am seeing some evening-only times that I assume would require a babysitter or one parent staying home. Forgive the basic question - sadly, it isn't among the FAQs

[Anonymous]

You can bring your children, but you'll get a LOT less out of the experience if you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi everyone- as DCPS posts the open house schedule, I was hoping more seasoned parents can share more about how these work. Do you bring children to them or are they just for parents? IF the latter, am seeing some evening-only times that I assume would require a babysitter or one parent staying home. Forgive the basic question - sadly, it isn't among the FAQs

If you are going to a middle school open house - you bring them.

If you are going to an elementary school open house - do you best to not take your child. It is not geared for them but if you need to people will understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi everyone- as DCPS posts the open house schedule, I was hoping more seasoned parents can share more about how these work. Do you bring children to them or are they just for parents? IF the latter, am seeing some evening-only times that I assume would require a babysitter or one parent staying home. Forgive the basic question - sadly, it isn't among the FAQs

If you are going to a middle school open house - you bring them.

If you are going to an elementary school open house - do you best to not take your child. It is not geared for them but if you need to people will understand.

This advice is good. Also, here's a list of questions to consider asking, if you aren't sure where to start: https://www.myschooldc.org/sites/default/files/u421/SY2023-24_MySchoolDC_QuestionsForParentsByParents_FINAL.pdf

[Anonymous]

You can absolutely bring your kids. After you attend a few you are going to realize that the formal presentations are not as useful as just taking in the feeling of the school. We've all been there. You are overthinking this.

[Anonymous]

is there a central open house calendar for all the schools? Year ago, I recall seeing that on myschools site. Of course it was only half accurate.

[Anonymous]

Here you go:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-open-house-at-basis-washington-dc-december-12th-tickets-418265562557?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

[Anonymous]

If it’s elementary, try to go without kids. Or divide and conquer where 1 parent goes and other stays home.

You will get so much more out of it, be able to actually talk to principal or leadership, talk to parents after school tour, etc….

[Anonymous]

As others have said, you can bring your kids and many do to the elementary school open houses but the experience is for the parents to learn about the school, see slideshow presentations, walk around. If you want to participate in all those things you'll have an easier time if the kids can stay home. But for obvious reasons many have to bring their kids so you shouldn't get much side eye