I went because you are supposed to go if you can, and I just think that you should go. I also went because my daughter has made friends with a new girl this year, and I was looking forward to introducing myself to her parents and saying hi. Sadly, I missed them during the classroom time.

What I got out of it is that no one pays attention to the teachers presentation or parent questions after because three different people asked how many SOLs there were this year (5th grade) and what the subjects were. That was covered by the teachers in detail during their presentation.

I also learned that some of the parents in my child's class are crazy, but the majority seem perfectly normal.

Question, are the student's supposed to attend this, or parent only?
First timer here

Anonymous wrote:I found it to be a complete waste of time this year. Look at the website each day for homework assignments. Got it. Kids aren't allowed to get up and move around during lessons. Got it. Mountains and mountains and hours and hours of homework is critically important. (No it isn't) Got it.

Mountains of homework? What grade is your child in? I got the complete opposite.

I go to participate in the community life of my child's school. Part of this is showing the teacher that she has an allied Mommy at home who will reinforce whatever's going on in the classroom. (DS is in PS.) I try to connect with other parents and exchange numbers, if possible, taking a step out of future playdate planning.

It's nice and everybody makes an effort. It's just performance. No big deal. You shouldn't feel pressured to ask the perfect question. I think showing up is already pretty great.

I found it to be a complete waste of time this year. Look at the website each day for homework assignments. Got it. Kids aren't allowed to get up and move around during lessons. Got it. Mountains and mountains and hours and hours of homework is critically important. (No it isn't) Got it.

Anonymous wrote:If anything, I hope parents understand the main focus of that year's class, what is expected of their student, and how to contact me with more questions. I want them to feel comfortable knowing that I am their kid's teacher.

This is mainly why I go.

If anything, I hope parents understand the main focus of that year's class, what is expected of their student, and how to contact me with more questions. I want them to feel comfortable knowing that I am their kid's teacher.

I'm trying to be an uber-involved parent this year, but I just could not come up with any questions for BTS night. The ones that were asked were pretty ridiculous. I'm glad they have the opportunity for parents. i just go nothing out of it.

It is called parental involvement. Why justify it.

I think it varies by grade level.

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I think it's kind of a waste of time, but I go because I don't want to miss important information (although there never seems to be any) and I want to support the teacher.

Totally this. You put a face with the teacher's name, but other than that, not much.

Personally, I think it's kind of a waste of time, but I go because I don't want to miss important information (although there never seems to be any) and I want to support the teacher.

I think it's fine if you don't have an immediate question that comes to mind. The teacher is probably just trying to be proactive and will try to make sure they include info/questions that folks email. I'm sure you will once again get the overview of the curriculum and a feel for the teacher's personality, so if that's worked for you in the past, don't feel the need to send in additional questions.

I always asked specific questions about curriculum and expectations at the Back to School Night so I do not have to email with a ton of questions in the future.

In the past, I have attended and left wondering if I could have / should have asked questions. I just listen to the overview of the curriculum, try to get a feel for the teacher's personality. This year, the teacher emailed all the parents and said to contact him ahead of time with questions. Am I missing something?

Thanks.