I've attended every BTSN since K, apart from pandemic years, and all the Bethesda-area elementary, middle and high school events have always been packed. Even for 12th grade last year for my oldest, I wanted to get a feel for his teachers, see what personalities they have. I'm curious! Apparently I'm not the only one

I think one of the main reasons for BTSN is that it's an opportunity for the entire school community to come together early in the year. People saying it's "pointless" are only thinking about it in terms of their specific kid or family. It's not really meant to be about individuals -- that's what P/T conferences are for. BTSN is about the entire school, it's a chance to reconnect with the school, see other families, get to know the next cohort of teachers collectively, etc.

Traditionally, schools have two events each year that are meant to gather everyone at once -- BTSN and a spring fundraiser. There are of course events in between, but not everyone goes to sporting events, rallies, performances, etc. BTSN and an end-of-year fundraiser are meant to be community touch points.

I do think it's sad people don't see it this way anymore.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In ES, yes, it's a priority. In MS, maybe with a 6th grader or if you are new to the school. After that, not worth the time. My kids get good grades, stay on top of their schoolwork, etc. Why exactly do I need to show up?

Agree.
My senior has always done really well. She picks her own classes and advocates for herself regularly, and has no special needs. There is no need for me to go.

Even if you believe that to be true, the high school is made up of more than just seniors. And not all seniors are as self-sufficient and responsible as your daughter. I had a senior DS and I had to engage teachers on more than one occasion last year during his senior year to help them get him together. Senioritis is a headache for parents and teachers for a reason.

High school is full of rough and bumpy transitions from freshman through junior year, and parents and teachers have to work together to guide their kids through that, hence, BTSN as a way to connect parents and teachers.

Anonymous wrote:In ES, yes, it's a priority. In MS, maybe with a 6th grader or if you are new to the school. After that, not worth the time. My kids get good grades, stay on top of their schoolwork, etc. Why exactly do I need to show up?

Agree.
My senior has always done really well. She picks her own classes and advocates for herself regularly, and has no special needs. There is no need for me to go.

Anonymous wrote:Do high schools have back to school night? This seems like something for elementary schools. What’s the point in high school?

All schools, including middle and high schools, have BTSN.

The point is to get to know your kids' teachers and their routines.

Do high schools have back to school night? This seems like something for elementary schools. What’s the point in high school?

Anonymous wrote:BTSN beyond elementary school is useless. We had ours last night for our middle schooler. What do you get out of learning about the teacher’s degree, pets, kids? The curriculum/syllabus is already given to the students and the contracts signed by the parents. I didn’t get anything out of the BTSN. It seems like a total waste of time for everyone. Perhaps the teachers can make videos about the class and curriculum and post it somewhere that way parents can look at them whenever they want to. We had 15 mins with each teacher, there was no time for questions from the parents. The teachers barely finished their presentations within that time. It was utterly useless.

I won't say it's useless, but I do think the model needs to shift for secondary school. To your point, meeting the teacher for 5-10 minutes, where they run through a canned presentation for most of the time is not the best use of parents coming into the building.

I think BTSN should be about forming bonds and connections with parents and teachers. The current model doesn't facilitate that.

In ES, yes, it's a priority. In MS, maybe with a 6th grader or if you are new to the school. After that, not worth the time. My kids get good grades, stay on top of their schoolwork, etc. Why exactly do I need to show up?

Anonymous wrote:Our BTS HS night is a little over two weeks from now, the teachers will have taught for a month before they meet the parents. It's better this way, because by then the teacher actually knows a bit about your kid. Kid has told the parents about school, which spurs more interest to go meet the teachers. Maybe BTSN is happening too soon?

Yes, I also think having BTSN the first week of school is way too soon.

BTSN beyond elementary school is useless. We had ours last night for our middle schooler. What do you get out of learning about the teacher’s degree, pets, kids? The curriculum/syllabus is already given to the students and the contracts signed by the parents. I didn’t get anything out of the BTSN. It seems like a total waste of time for everyone. Perhaps the teachers can make videos about the class and curriculum and post it somewhere that way parents can look at them whenever they want to. We had 15 mins with each teacher, there was no time for questions from the parents. The teachers barely finished their presentations within that time. It was utterly useless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What could you get out of BTSN in HS? You teacher will hardly remember most kids’ names by the end of the year, and impossible to remember your face. The contract that they gave to the kids about class rules and expectation is informed enough. Otherwise just email them in ParentVUE

For me it is more about getting a sense of the teacher's personality, their classroom, what they choose to highlight about the course, and also a chance to follow my kid's daily route around the building. It's just helpful background to have when listening to them talk about what happened at school that day.

I met one teacher who acted really professionally on BTSN, and two weeks later got fired by throwing chairs in a classroom.

Anonymous wrote:What could you get out of BTSN in HS? You teacher will hardly remember most kids’ names by the end of the year, and impossible to remember your face. The contract that they gave to the kids about class rules and expectation is informed enough. Otherwise just email them in ParentVUE

For me it is more about getting a sense of the teacher's personality, their classroom, what they choose to highlight about the course, and also a chance to follow my kid's daily route around the building. It's just helpful background to have when listening to them talk about what happened at school that day.

Anonymous wrote:Our BTS HS night is a little over two weeks from now, the teachers will have taught for a month before they meet the parents. It's better this way, because by then the teacher actually knows a bit about your kid. Kid has told the parents about school, which spurs more interest to go meet the teachers. Maybe BTSN is happening too soon?

But isn’t this what the Parent Teacher conference after first quarter is for? But due to limited availability the teacher have, i find who goes to these are parents of kids have no big problems in the class, not the parents whom the teacher really wants to meet.

Anonymous wrote:What could you get out of BTSN in HS? You teacher will hardly remember most kids’ names by the end of the year, and impossible to remember your face. The contract that they gave to the kids about class rules and expectation is informed enough. Otherwise just email them in ParentVUE

Agreed. Unless it’s the first time I have a kid in the school, I don’t get much value from spending 10-15 mins in a bunch of classes. I’m not micromanaging homework and assignments in HS, so I don’t really need that information crowding my brain.

Our BTS HS night is a little over two weeks from now, the teachers will have taught for a month before they meet the parents. It's better this way, because by then the teacher actually knows a bit about your kid. Kid has told the parents about school, which spurs more interest to go meet the teachers. Maybe BTSN is happening too soon?