Question about a sudden ‘Parents Come to Class’ event in DCPS

[Anonymous]

Wondering if anyone else’s DCPS school is doing this. Our principal—who has kept strict COVID-era restrictions in place (parents can’t walk students to class or enter the building)—just announced a “Parents Sit in Class” event for 8:30 a.m. on a Monday. It’s a scrabble.

There was no RSVP list or clear plan, and it’s the busiest hour of the week: breakfast, morning meeting, routines, transitions. Some classrooms have 25-30 students.

It feels like a reaction to low enrollment and parent frustration rather than a genuine family-engagement effort. I’m all for parent involvement, but inviting everyone at once during the most chaotic hour of the week seems guaranteed to stress teachers and confuse kids. This feels oddly timed and poorly planned.

Is this happening at other schools, or is ours the only one trying this? Teachers & Principals do you want this at your school?

[Anonymous]

Ours does this. It’s a great way for families to get to see classrooms and what the morning routines are like. I feel that parents get a feel for the importance of being on time and what their kids are missing when they are not. It’s also a lot less pressure because it’s not connected to progress reports or talking about grades or behavior but instead focused on getting to know the classroom, the setup, the teacher, the morning entry, etc. Overall, it’s been really positive.

[Anonymous]

I think this is an old tradition. I remember my elementary school having November open house days where parents just got to sit and observe a normal day (or at least what seemed like a normal to a kid!). Maybe it coincides with National Education Month?

[Anonymous]

Just ask if you can do it on a different day time. If they are truly interested in the spirit of the event, they should accommodate you. Otherwise it's just an empty gesture.

[Anonymous]

MCPS always has Veteran's Day open house

[Anonymous]

Our school does this once per term. It’s on Fridays though. Monday and short notice does seem odd.

[Anonymous]

Scrabble?

[Anonymous]

What school has “covid-era restrictions “? Genuinely curious.

[Anonymous]

This was normal for kindergarten and first grade at our DCPS elementary pre-Covid. It was weekly and on Friday. It was only for the first 20 minutes while the kids settled and did whatever they on the rug to open the day. Then parents left and they went on with their day. Spouse and I took turns and we just got to work late those days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS always has Veteran's Day open house

+1. It’s a better option because many people have a holiday but maybe with the shutdown still in effect they figured Monday wasn’t much different than Tuesday?

But the school should do better about giving parents notice for a scheduled event…

[Anonymous]

Our DCPS has never done this but they do have other events where they invite parents, like "publishing parties" for students to show off written work during the day or "student showcases" where parents can come view projects hung up in hallways if they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was normal for kindergarten and first grade at our DCPS elementary pre-Covid. It was weekly and on Friday. It was only for the first 20 minutes while the kids settled and did whatever they on the rug to open the day. Then parents left and they went on with their day. Spouse and I took turns and we just got to work late those days.

+1
We have "walk-in Wednesday" but it's every week, and just for the first 20 or so minutes. I also think it's for every grade at our school (pk3-5).

[Anonymous]

We have been at two good DCPS elementaries with strong school leaders and solid parent engagement. Having designated family drop in time is a regular practice at both. I wouldn't see it as a red flag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wondering if anyone else’s DCPS school is doing this. Our principal—who has kept strict COVID-era restrictions in place (parents can’t walk students to class or enter the building)—just announced a “Parents Sit in Class” event for 8:30 a.m. on a Monday. It’s a scrabble.

There was no RSVP list or clear plan, and it’s the busiest hour of the week: breakfast, morning meeting, routines, transitions. Some classrooms have 25-30 students.

It feels like a reaction to low enrollment and parent frustration rather than a genuine family-engagement effort. I’m all for parent involvement, but inviting everyone at once during the most chaotic hour of the week seems guaranteed to stress teachers and confuse kids. This feels oddly timed and poorly planned.

Is this happening at other schools, or is ours the only one trying this? Teachers & Principals do you want this at your school?

LOL what?

[Anonymous]

This is what I love about DCPS. You can have kids without any vaccinations but some lunatic principal still has "COVID-era restrictions."

Lazy principals excel in this system. 👏🏻