MCPS Parent Visitation Day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love my child's Open House day. It is much more eye opening than going to the 5-10min rushed conference.

For our school, there is no principal or PTA talk. We go directly to the classrooms to observe. Some teachers have the parents sit around the perimeter in chairs and watch quietly. Getting a feel for how the teachers teach and manage, child expectations, and it also gives you an idea of the classroom dynamic - the kids and any issues.

We are also welcome to have lunch/recess although most working parents come to the morning session and leave.

In the afternoon session, it is the same thing but with math or a different curriculum. Some teachers involve the parents to help their child or walk around during busy work time. It was sad for the kids that didn't have anyone. To the PP that just doesn't bother, I find that really sad. My child's face lights up when I come in each year. Same with the other kids. To think you are at a spa instead. I don't know - just not cool.

Excuse me but I don't need to be an over-bearing parent at every single event. It's okay to actually make time for yourself so that you can be an effective parent. Who can I serve in my family if I am constantly stretched thin and over worked---no one. You do you, and I'll do me. But self-care is just as important as family care. My daughter and I are doing just fine.

You equate going to the one Open House all year to being over-bearing?

[Anonymous]

It is kind of like going to the zoo, except that instead of animals in cages, you observe children in classrooms.

[Anonymous]

I've always enjoyed this day. I found it very helpful with my first child, as I didn't have a clue what they spend their time doing in school and I found it very informative. I've found diminishing value with each subsequent child, but my fourth wants me there so I will probably go.

It's basically a chance to see the teacher in action-- see how they manage the classroom, what the kids are doing when they are in 'centers,' etc. But you have to take it with a grain of salt since the dynamic (particularly in younger grades) is very different with so many parents there.

It's also a chance to see the kids your child is spending time with each day. Put a face on the names you hear at home; see how your kid interacts in class (shy? confident? etc).

In younger grades, I've always found that the teacher encourages the parents to be involved (e.g., the kid is drawing a picture and writing a sentence and the parent can ask the kid questions or help with the assignment). In older grades, we're usually standing around the outside of the classroom just watching.

The day is NOT for having conversations with the teacher, though. Of course, some will chit chat when the kids are working, but the teachers are actively working, managing the classroom, doing reading/math groups, etc.

[Anonymous]

The start of the academic year is always crazy, with back to school nights, the visitation day, and some days off school. Things settle down, though. In my recollection, there are only a couple of more days during the year where parents are invited to attend-- two parties (halloween and valentines day) are the only days I recall after Columbus day. I would prioritize the visitation day over the parties, because on party day the kids are focused on the activities/food and not on the parents.

OP, I'm not sure how far your commute is, but one option would be to show up for just the first 45 minutes-hour. Your kid would have a parent there (certainly not all kids have parents at this event but depending on the school, I would guess that more than half of kindergartners will). You can get a sense of the classroom dynamic. And you could still make it to work by late morning (?) Parents regularly come and go in the classroom (in fact, those of us with multiple kids in the school walk in and out of each room every few minutes!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The start of the academic year is always crazy, with back to school nights, the visitation day, and some days off school. Things settle down, though. In my recollection, there are only a couple of more days during the year where parents are invited to attend-- two parties (halloween and valentines day) are the only days I recall after Columbus day. I would prioritize the visitation day over the parties, because on party day the kids are focused on the activities/food and not on the parents.

OP, I'm not sure how far your commute is, but one option would be to show up for just the first 45 minutes-hour. Your kid would have a parent there (certainly not all kids have parents at this event but depending on the school, I would guess that more than half of kindergartners will). You can get a sense of the classroom dynamic. And you could still make it to work by late morning (?) Parents regularly come and go in the classroom (in fact, those of us with multiple kids in the school walk in and out of each room every few minutes!)

I will take it one step further and say that Visitation Day is more important than Back to School night. You can have a meeting at any time with a teacher. This is your one chance to see your child interact with peers, see how the teacher handles the class, and sadly be on the look-out for the problem kids. It puts you much more in the know that any other visit/conference, etc..

[Anonymous]

I've only made it to one parent visitation day because of my work schedule (I teach at a local college and there are no subs and you can't cancel classes unless it is an emergency- not complaining, every job has different pros and cons as a couple of PPs have noted). I was able to make it to the last couple of hours of ds's visitation in 9th grade and I was so happy that worked out. In high school, you "meet" your child's teachers once in the entire year - on BTS night for the ten minutes you get in each teacher's classroom for their typically highly scripted presentation. Sitting in on an entire class gives you a better idea of what the teacher is like, what the classroom atmosphere is like etc., It gives me important context when issues come up during the school year. There are no parent-teacher conferences in high school. That is a subject for another thread!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: It is kind of like going to the zoo, except that instead of animals in cages, you observe children in classrooms.

THIS!!

[Anonymous]

At DD's school (Wootton cluster), attendance is typically over 85%. Our ES families really value education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: At DD's school (Wootton cluster), attendance is typically over 85%. Our ES families really value education.

That's not how I'd measure it, ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: At DD's school (Wootton cluster), attendance is typically over 85%. Our ES families really value education.

Wow.
Some of us are doctors and nurses and not fed and fed adjacent workers.
We still value our children's education and still value our children.
But if we're not there when your loved one is rolling into the ER having a heart attack, bad things can happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never been to my kids' schools on Columbus Day. I'm busy putting on a dog and pony show for you all.

-teacher

I told my principal that I'm take a personal say that day to see my child's classes. She's pretty ticked off, but my child asked and I have never made it to any of her school events.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never been to my kids' schools on Columbus Day. I'm busy putting on a dog and pony show for you all.

-teacher

I told my principal that I'm take a personal say that day to see my child's classes. She's pretty ticked off, but my child asked and I have never made it to any of her school events.

So, a sub is going to put on your dog and pony show?

I hope you let your student's parents know so they don't waste their time coming in that day.

[Anonymous]

The reason that it is not on the MCPS calendar is that it is a tradition, and not an official event of any kind. It has its origins in a bygone era, when most MCPS parents were federal workers, who had the day off work.

Nowadays, most parents are not federal workers, and yet the tradition continues, even though it makes no sense.

The dog and pony show that you see on Columbus Day is not representative of the normal classroom experience. How could it be, with two dozen parents observing? It is certainly not representative of a typical day. And it is definitely not more important than parent teacher conferences.

MCPS should do away with the entire thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: At DD's school (Wootton cluster), attendance is typically over 85%. Our ES families really value education.

Wow.
Some of us are doctors and nurses and not fed and fed adjacent workers.
We still value our children's education and still value our children.
But if we're not there when your loved one is rolling into the ER having a heart attack, bad things can happen.

I am a nurse. I make sure I am off ever year on Columbus Day. This year I have to try and make it to 3 schools. I love it though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason that it is not on the MCPS calendar is that it is a tradition, and not an official event of any kind. It has its origins in a bygone era, when most MCPS parents were federal workers, who had the day off work.

Nowadays, most parents are not federal workers, and yet the tradition continues, even though it makes no sense.

The dog and pony show that you see on Columbus Day is not representative of the normal classroom experience. How could it be, with two dozen parents observing? It is certainly not representative of a typical day. And it is definitely not more important than parent teacher conferences.

MCPS should do away with the entire thing.

Newsflash: There has never been a time when the majority MCPS parents were federal workers. Please stop. Also Columbus Day used to be a school holiday before we had to add the Jewish holidays.