Fairfax kindergarten orientation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our school, Kindergarten orientation is usually held on a Monday afternoon. Since the kids get out early on Mondays, it's really the perfect time to bring in the rising K students so they can experience the classroom. The rising K students are dropped off in one of the K classrooms and participate in some activities with the K teachers while the parents attend a meeting next door. Yes, I had to take the afternoon off work, but I thought it was wonderful that my son got a chance to see it all and meet the teachers before the fall.

Ours did this last Monday.School lets out at 1:30 and K-orientation was at 2pm. My husband and I both took an half day and then got our child out of pre-K and brought them to the orientation. It was just 1 half day off of work and NO Big deal since we had time to plan for it. Plus our kid was soooooooooo excited about it!!!!

[Anonymous]

I was wondering the same thing when we got our info packet. It is interesting that they have the children participate in classes at some schools and meet the teachers (and for the parents to see what happens in class, rather than just hearing about it). But I'm curious about how beneficial this is, when it happens 5 months before school starts. Kids change a lot in 5 months, especially at the age of 4!

[Anonymous]

Ours is 9:30-11:30am in mid-April. I think it is a bit early to have it. Would prefer June instead before schools let out for the Summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was wondering the same thing when we got our info packet. It is interesting that they have the children participate in classes at some schools and meet the teachers (and for the parents to see what happens in class, rather than just hearing about it). But I'm curious about how beneficial this is, when it happens 5 months before school starts. Kids change a lot in 5 months, especially at the age of 4!

This was beneficial for all of us to go to because my child got to meet several children in her class/school including some neighborhood kids that we didn't know. We discovered a few kids from ballet were in the K classes as well. It was good for our child to know some kids before starting. We set up some play dates as well. We didn't know anyone before the orientation.
Also our school set up 2 summer play dates at the school play ground for everyone who signed in at the orientation. They also do (as I think most do) a meet your actual teacher a few days before school starts. We felt the early orientation made the transition a lot easier.

[Anonymous]

Have to agree a bit with the OP on this. Growing up there weren't orientations, and things like parent-teacher conferences were always held in the evenings. It wouldn't even have occurred to me that stuff like this would be scheduled during the school day - is this a DC area phenomena?

[Anonymous]

It is probably an economical one due to all the other things school budgets need to consider these days that they didn't have to years ago. There are many changes besides just timing of parent teacher conferences from the days when today's parents were in school. Some changes are very helpful for working parents. I love the weekly blackboard and newsletter updates we get (which our teacher does over the weekend) along with the ability to email the teacher verses trying to call during working hours.

[Anonymous]

It is pretty unreasonable to expect teachers to extend their already full teaching day for these types of events. Parents can come to school while school is in session.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't still have a job if I asked for an day off for my kids school. They's would tell me to hit the road.

[Anonymous]

A couple of thoughts....first the open houses that are coming up are for the kids to meet the teachers, and to see the rooms, and meet some of the other students. The events at my DD's school are held during the day, which makes sense, as the kids need to get back into the concept of structure during the day.

It is not that easy for working parents...particularly if you do not have a flexible schedule, but it is about the kids, not about you.

Typically, back to school night is in the evening. This is designed to accommodate working parents.

Now for the rant:

At each elementary school, there are 400-800 kids, and probable a comparable number of parents. There is no time that will be good for everyone. And it is not about you. It is about everyone. Have you ever tried to schedule a meeting with just 5-8 people? you end up removing times that will not work rather than finding times that will. Now, with 400+, there will be no good time for everyone. So, the school plans it at a time that works for them and the kids.

I typically have a required conference out of town when back to school night happens (conference attendance is written into the project contract). I miss most back to school nights. It never occurred to me to reschedule.

I have also found that the teachers are very accommodating for conferences: The scheduling gets much easier when there are only two people.

One final comment: <B> Evenings do not work for everyone either </B>.

[Anonymous]

Just a question...when do you working parents go to doctor appointments? Does your doctor make special provisions and schedule evening appointments for you because that is more convenient? I am guessing not. Teachers and school admon are PROFESSIONALS. Please treat them as such and not your free nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A couple of thoughts....first the open houses that are coming up are for the kids to meet the teachers, and to see the rooms, and meet some of the other students. The events at my DD's school are held during the day, which makes sense, as the kids need to get back into the concept of structure during the day.

It is not that easy for working parents...particularly if you do not have a flexible schedule, but it is about the kids, not about you.

Typically, back to school night is in the evening. This is designed to accommodate working parents.

Now for the rant:

At each elementary school, there are 400-800 kids, and probable a comparable number of parents. There is no time that will be good for everyone. And it is not about you. It is about everyone. Have you ever tried to schedule a meeting with just 5-8 people? you end up removing times that will not work rather than finding times that will. Now, with 400+, there will be no good time for everyone. So, the school plans it at a time that works for them and the kids.

I typically have a required conference out of town when back to school night happens (conference attendance is written into the project contract). I miss most back to school nights. It never occurred to me to reschedule.

I have also found that the teachers are very accommodating for conferences: The scheduling gets much easier when there are only two people.

One final comment: <B> Evenings do not work for everyone either </B>.

Actually, it's held in the evening so that teachers can talk to the parents. I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but during the day THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE CLASSROOM WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO RUN AN INFORMATION SESSION.

[Anonymous]

Point noted. But, they could do it right after the school day instead of 7:00

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't still have a job if I asked for an day off for my kids school. They's would tell me to hit the road.

Maybe you need a differnt job.

[Anonymous]

Prince William Schools had an interesting way of holding conferences. At least they did when we lived there. The teachers reported at noon that day and went to about 7 or so, which allowed for midday and evening conferences.

[Anonymous]

9:12: That is fine for the kids meeting the teachers, but I know my DD is really looking forward to seeing friends. Particularly those that she hasn't seen in the last three days