Anonymous wrote:Certain demographics ignore the advice to leave children at home and entire multiple generation families attend. Plus, the student has to translate for mom and dad. True story and veteran of 10 BTS Nights in as many years.

Then the school should adjust to the realities of these "certain demographics", instead of trying year after year to have a back-to-school night that obviously isn't going to happen that way.

Anonymous wrote:1K in PTA fees? WTH?

pp here - I just ignored that part of her post because I wasn't even sure how to respond to that! Soooo, money raised by the kids or parent donations from last year should fund your babysitter for back-to-school night?

1K in PTA fees? WTH?

Anonymous wrote:Getting a babysitter for just 2 hours with multiple kids is really, really difficult if you don't have one in regular rotation. The school should provide babysitting. 1K in PTA fees should cover some of that.

Then one parent stay home and the other go or use care.com or enlist in another parent that will be staying home or find a local high schooler that babysits or a friend with a kid in a different school (different back to school night date) and swap babysitting. There are many, many options. You can do it, Nemo!

Back to school night is boring for elementary children. It is a chance for the parents to hear from the teachers and staff, not to show off their projects.

Certain demographics ignore the advice to leave children at home and entire multiple generation families attend. Plus, the student has to translate for mom and dad. True story and veteran of 10 BTS Nights in as many years.

Getting a babysitter for just 2 hours with multiple kids is really, really difficult if you don't have one in regular rotation. The school should provide babysitting. 1K in PTA fees should cover some of that.

Parents don't visit on Veteran's Day at our local schools.

Thanks 20:19. That was a very helpful response.

You will have your time with your kids at school on Veteran's Day. That's the day parents may visit their children's classrooms while class is in session.

Back to School Night is intended for the teacher to let you know what the curriculum will be for the year, the expectations for behavior and work and also the ways that you can help them to succeed during this year (note - does NOT mean doing their homework for them!). The teachers will usually show whatever materials will be used (textbooks, workbooks, etc). Depending on the school it also usually means meeting and hearing from the administration of the school. It's also a great way to meet the other parents in the school without needing to tend to the kids. It's also meant to be a presentation to you from the school and not necessarily a one-to-one discussion - that is for the parent/teacher conferences.

Since it is held in the first few weeks of school the kids are just beginning their work so there would be nothing for your kids to show you...however, most schools (at least the ones I'm familiar with) host several dates throughout the year so that parents can come in and share in the kids' learning environment. Those are completely different than back to school night and the kids are included.

Also, the reason it is held at night is to accommodate working parents and, obviously, kids wouldn't come since they should be home having dinner and getting ready for bed.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with OP, and it's not just because I end up being the sitter for the neighborhood kids. I went to private school, and one of the benefits of smaller class size was that school activities were family activities (except for parent-teacher conferences). It has nothing to do with "special snowflakes," PP, and the concept that any parent who would want to take place in activities that involve people of all ages-- their children and their children's friends, too-- at the school to share in the activities of all is somehow helicoptering or obsessive makes me scratch my head in bewilderment. But then again, so does the whole American notion that children don't really belong in the adult sphere much at all, and vice versa...

I, too, was surprised that "back to school night" is adults only.

There are plenty of opportunities for activities like that during the school year - science night, math night, reading night, ice cream socials, dances, student concerts. The list goes on and on. Back to School night is for parents to hear about what will be happening during the year, meet the teacher, sign up to volunteer. If you need childcare, see if your school's aftercare provider can provide childcare for BTSN. KAH does it at our school for only a few dollars.

I agree with OP, and it's not just because I end up being the sitter for the neighborhood kids. I went to private school, and one of the benefits of smaller class size was that school activities were family activities (except for parent-teacher conferences). It has nothing to do with "special snowflakes," PP, and the concept that any parent who would want to take place in activities that involve people of all ages-- their children and their children's friends, too-- at the school to share in the activities of all is somehow helicoptering or obsessive makes me scratch my head in bewilderment. But then again, so does the whole American notion that children don't really belong in the adult sphere much at all, and vice versa...

I, too, was surprised that "back to school night" is adults only.

Is this a troll? Back to school is about being "back to school"--teacher's explain curriculum..go through goals and generally discuss what is going on in class. Having a bunch of junior snowflakes ruins it. Pay a sitter or have one spouse stay home.

I thought back to school night was for kids to show off projects, their desks, etc. Why wouldn't children be invited? A group setting doesn't allow for much discussion. Please explain.