MCPS Back to School night

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here - I wish BTSN was later in September. The first few weeks of school are incredibly hectic. Everyone is exhausted. I enjoy meeting parents but would prefer it when I am less frazzled. I barely know the kids when BTSN rolls around so I cannot connect the parents with the kids in my head and everything becomes a blur.

Possibly the point to have it so early. They don't want too many "how's my Larlo doing?" type questions when the evening is to provide classroom and course info. Parent teacher conferences are later on in the Fall.

I agree. One reason for having BTSN so early is to discourage conversations about individual students. That’s not the purpose of the night.

Each year I have to tell sets of parents that I can’t conference that night, and then I end up late to my next classroom full of parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people think about the new format being rolled out - where instead of following your child's schedule and hearing the same stupid PPT presentation in 7 classrooms and sitting in the little desks, they have all the English teachers in one hallway, for example, or they have a fair type event with food trucks.

It is supposed to be more culturally appropriate, and I guess it is. Adults do not like sitting in little desks being lectured to by overwhelmingly white teachers. I am torn. I hate the traditional format, but don't know if I will like the new way.

What do you all think?

They shouldnt have one period. It's a waste of everyone's time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people think about the new format being rolled out - where instead of following your child's schedule and hearing the same stupid PPT presentation in 7 classrooms and sitting in the little desks, they have all the English teachers in one hallway, for example, or they have a fair type event with food trucks.

It is supposed to be more culturally appropriate, and I guess it is. Adults do not like sitting in little desks being lectured to by overwhelmingly white teachers. I am torn. I hate the traditional format, but don't know if I will like the new way.

What do you all think?

Are they doing this at all schools? (Ours isn't until later this month.)

[Anonymous]

I believe that is the format that all schools are supposed to adopt?

[Anonymous]

Do you not get a presentation at all? They just stand in the hallway? That seems odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe that is the format that all schools are supposed to adopt?

No

[Anonymous]

The word is that most schools are supposed to do culturally sensitive presentations - that's from on high. And how that looks is different in different schools - fairs, more informal things. The shuffle to 7 periods sit in small desks thing is not in favor these days.

Departments do a one page handout and all teachers are available to answer questions. The idea is that all grade 10 teachers are doing more or less the same thing, so you should be able to ask your questions of any teacher...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The word is that most schools are supposed to do culturally sensitive presentations - that's from on high. And how that looks is different in different schools - fairs, more informal things. The shuffle to 7 periods sit in small desks thing is not in favor these days.

Departments do a one page handout and all teachers are available to answer questions. The idea is that all grade 10 teachers are doing more or less the same thing, so you should be able to ask your questions of any teacher...

Culturally sensitive presentations would be done virtually, so parents unable to leave their homes could attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people think about the new format being rolled out - where instead of following your child's schedule and hearing the same stupid PPT presentation in 7 classrooms and sitting in the little desks, they have all the English teachers in one hallway, for example, or they have a fair type event with food trucks.

It is supposed to be more culturally appropriate, and I guess it is. Adults do not like sitting in little desks being lectured to by overwhelmingly white teachers. I am torn. I hate the traditional format, but don't know if I will like the new way.

What do you all think?

Hate it. It's terrible and learned nothing.
I like the traditional format. It works well just to get a glimpse of your child's teacher's style and personality and a very high level overview of the curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do people think about the new format being rolled out - where instead of following your child's schedule and hearing the same stupid PPT presentation in 7 classrooms and sitting in the little desks, they have all the English teachers in one hallway, for example, or they have a fair type event with food trucks.

It is supposed to be more culturally appropriate, and I guess it is. Adults do not like sitting in little desks being lectured to by overwhelmingly white teachers. I am torn. I hate the traditional format, but don't know if I will like the new way.

What do you all think?

Are they doing this at all schools? (Ours isn't until later this month.)

No they are not. We attended two already and both were in the regular format. They were really well attended and most parents we spoke with said they were really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they sell food for parents rushing to the evening program after work??

And for the teachers and staff having to work late? Many have other personal obligations just as parents do.

[Anonymous]

Our middle school sent the agenda for BTSN and it is the traditional version - go to each of your kid's classes for a few mins.

[Anonymous]

Can't each teacher record a short video(~3-5min) of them teaching a class and play the recording in person on BTSN? That way parents see the teaching "style". Most parents of HS students do not attend the Open House day (typically held on Indigenous day in Oct) when they can sit in on their kid's classes, so a video on BTSN can give them a glimpse into teacher's instructional style albeit 3-5 min is not much. The rest of the 10-15 minutes btsn can be for seeing the classroom and putting face to name of teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can't each teacher record a short video(~3-5min) of them teaching a class and play the recording in person on BTSN? That way parents see the teaching "style". Most parents of HS students do not attend the Open House day (typically held on Indigenous day in Oct) when they can sit in on their kid's classes, so a video on BTSN can give them a glimpse into teacher's instructional style albeit 3-5 min is not much. The rest of the 10-15 minutes btsn can be for seeing the classroom and putting face to name of teacher.

Highly-regarded with a ton of experience here. I would have absolutely no idea what to record. 3-5 minutes wouldn’t give you a clear indication of what goes on in my class. Should I lecture? But then you don’t see what the kids are capable of. Should I show group work? But then you don’t get to see me teach. Should I record a class discussion/ seminar? And what if you make assumptions about my teaching style that are WAY off because you only saw a small glimpse of what I do?

BTSN is already exhausting and stressful for teachers. We’re already working long hours just trying to keep up with our obligations. Recording this video would just dump on more.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:What do people think about the new format being rolled out - where instead of following your child's schedule and hearing the same stupid PPT presentation in 7 classrooms and sitting in the little desks, they have all the English teachers in one hallway, for example, or they have a fair type event with food trucks.

It is supposed to be more culturally appropriate, and I guess it is. Adults do not like sitting in little desks being lectured to by overwhelmingly white teachers. I am torn. I hate the traditional format, but don't know if I will like the new way.

What do you all think?

I like the new format better. Went to classes we felt we needed to go to and were able to see/learn/over hear more about other classes. I do think staff is still getting used to the new format and knowing what they want to say/present and how. I also hope it helps with some of the needed standardization and expectation setting across same classes.