Attended the event - was a bit of a waste of time. The teachers didn't know the students since it was on the 3rd day of school and we learned little to nothing about what would be expected in each classroom.

Why did the school change the event?

Definitely no presentations - just walking around from class to class and anticipating lines. I have totally disrupted my work schedule and will have a stressful day for this - let's see how it goes

Why does FCPS insist on giving such short notice for events??? It's almost as if they don't want working parents to attend....

Wow, so they changed it? It must have been the year your child started seventh, because I have a child one year ahead. What a shame. It was nice getting a feel for each teacher.

OP. you were right. I am the mom of the rising eighth grader at Rocky Run Middle. The BTSN last year for my seventh grader was just as you had mentioned. You will find your kid's teachers and it WAS INDEED a long line of meet and greet. No more teacher presentations. You will also have minimal chance of meeting the teachers later in the year. Everything goes through the counselor first.

Anonymous wrote:BTSN was not this week. This week was an opportunity for your child to get their schedule, walk the halls to see where the classrooms are, and get their locker info (and decorate it), purchase PE outfits, and for YOU to sign up for the PTA. BTSN happens later in the month.

This. That event was really just to stop in and look at the school and buy a PE outfit. Back-to-school night will be the usual, where your child will bring home a schedule and you'll go to each of his classes and sit for each teacher's presentation. You'll be able to ask questions and get a feel for each teacher.

You will love Rocky. Don't worry.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I am quite aware that MS is not Elem school - just thought there would be some teachers and admin around at Open House. I would like a little advance notice and a schedule for back to school night - esp if it starts at 4p. If DC brings something home on Tues, that would still give only 2 days before the actual event to plan cancelling appts at work etc. Also basing my comments on what a parent stated re back to school last year - long lines with parents talking to teachers rather than brief presentations and class rotations the way my middle and high schools did for my parents way back when... Same parent also said she and her DH are quite active with school events but she did not ever meet the Principal until an accidental bump in at open house for 8th grade.

If your friend and her DH haven't met the MS principal, they have NOT attended a PTA meeting. Why don't you go to a PTA meeting and meet the principal and the parents WHO volunteer their time to make YOUR child's experience that much better.

BTSN was not this week. This week was an opportunity for your child to get their schedule, walk the halls to see where the classrooms are, and get their locker info (and decorate it), purchase PE outfits, and for YOU to sign up for the PTA. BTSN happens later in the month.

I am 100% sure that there were admin there. I don't know why you didn't see them. They were for sure there.

A large number of teachers were also there, but most were in their rooms, working. Most teachers, especially core academic teachers, had only had a total of about 5 hours of actual planning time from M-Th; the rest of the time, they had been in meetings or trainings (some of which were across the county). To try to get their rooms set up (which alone takes many teachers around 5-10 hours), plans made, copies made, and student needs (LEP, IEP, 504, medical, etc.) investigated in those few hours is beyond impossible. That's why you didn't see most of them. They were working, trying to get ready for the students to arrive on Tuesday. I think their priorities are in the right place.

OP here - I am quite aware that MS is not Elem school - just thought there would be some teachers and admin around at Open House. I would like a little advance notice and a schedule for back to school night - esp if it starts at 4p. If DC brings something home on Tues, that would still give only 2 days before the actual event to plan cancelling appts at work etc. Also basing my comments on what a parent stated re back to school last year - long lines with parents talking to teachers rather than brief presentations and class rotations the way my middle and high schools did for my parents way back when... Same parent also said she and her DH are quite active with school events but she did not ever meet the Principal until an accidental bump in at open house for 8th grade.

Middle school is not elementary school.

As soon as you get used to that change things will be a lot easier for you.

I teach at a different fcps middle school that passed out schedules last night too. I didn't meet any of my students, because I was busy collecting forms, handing out schedules, and directing kids to their lockers. So yeah, my room was locked.

I guarantee you admin was there. They were registering last minute adds, dealing with minor emergencies, and greeting families in their spare time. We had 800+ families come through in 3 hours last night--there was no way admin could introduce themselves to everyone.

The flier for the RRMS "Back-to-School Fair" does not list anything about meeting the teachers (though it does say "school staff"). It says "Find your classrooms," but doesn't say anything about meeting teachers. It makes complete sense that the classrooms were locked. Teachers were probably inside working and getting ready for your child to arrive next week.

The flier does say you should be able to meet the principal. I'm sure Dr. Terrell was there somewhere. The other admin (at least the 7th grade AP and the DSS) were most likely there, too. I'm sorry you didn't see them.

Your child will probably bring home a schedule for BTSN. Are you sure there are no presentations by teachers?

DC is a rising 7th grader in the AAP program there. I had always heard such great things about the school. However, at Open House there were no signs as to what to do when or where. Did not meet anyone from the school administration - if they were there. All but one of DC's classrooms were locked.

Also just got an email 6d prior to back to school - and it is going to be held from 4p-7p with no schedule. (How is that back to school NIGHT?) Spoke with another parent who said last year's back to school was a waste of time - no scheduled presentations by teachers - just long meet and greet lines. What's the point of that?

I do feel that FCPS is doing everything it can to hold all parent school activities during the day and make working parents either not attend or take time off with very little notice. (ie 6th grade promotion, open house, AAP presentations and orientations etc).