As an extremely involved PTA parent I have found the structure of BTSN pretty useless. We have one chance to get the parents informed and engaged and instead we send them from one classroom to another like headless chickens. Many parents cannot attend the BTSN and they need to use all technology they have on hand to educate the parents.

First of all MCPS should ask all teachers to make videos of their speech and put it on YouTube or the school websites. Then they should send an email to the parents letting them know their child's schedule as well as all the links for each class - much in advance. This will allow the teachers to take their time for their presentation as well as include links to all the material they hand out. Perhaps they can populate this information on MyMCPS also. Perhaps they need to also translate everything in Spanish too as well as ASL. Because nobody remembers a thing that the teachers tells about the class because you cannot absorb everything in 10 minutes.

Next, make sure that the school website has the photos of all teachers and staff. Parents need to know who the teachers and staff are.

If you have parents coming, then school and PTA need to have a checklist and they need to make sure that parents sign up for as many things that they need to sign up - contact information, FARMS, clubs, PE uniform, volunteer training, MyMCPS, Naviance, parent resources, class room volunteers, immunization, MAP M, MAP R, joining PTSA, picture day, yearbook orders etc. Tell them about the tentative exam schedule (PARCC, AP, MAPs), as well as tentative dates of field trips. Help them to become informed so that they can learn to help themselves and not feel so helpless.

I am completely ok with the Superintendent and the Principal making a video. I think the links should have been sent to parents in advance as well as played in a loop for those parents who waned to sit in for that.

Honestly, I would have preferred this to be sent out in an email. Just get rid of back to school night all together.

I mean, we STILL got to visit with the classroom and specials teachers, see our kids' artwork on the walls, etc. It actually gave more time for the stuff I was there to do.

Seriously? If they're going to do this, I'd prefer they just post it on YouTube and email a link....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cafegymatorium for the win!

LOL! I guess that's how it is at every overcrowded school in this era.

Love it!

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love the video in the classroom instead of everyone being crammed in the hot gym. Our principal is around all the time so I'm perfectly happy not to have to see her in person with 500 or so other people.

Agree--I like this new trend a lot. Might have thought otherwise if this were my first kid instead of my third, I suppose.

It's my first kid, and I didn't think anything bad of having video welcomes in my child's classroom. I wouldn't have liked being crammed in the gym like cattle and would rather spend time sitting with my child's teacher and fellow parents instead. Principal was at the front door greeting parents as they arrived and left. Seemed fine to me. Embrace the technology!

Anonymous wrote:I love the video in the classroom instead of everyone being crammed in the hot gym. Our principal is around all the time so I'm perfectly happy not to have to see her in person with 500 or so other people.

Agree--I like this new trend a lot. Might have thought otherwise if this were my first kid instead of my third, I suppose.

Our BTSN was last night and there was indeed a video introduction from the principal (who was also physically present) as well as a presentation on the new report cards.

It was fine. I would have preferred the principal address everyone directly, but it was still fine and the classroom visits were great.

Interesting. I guess maybe there is just a push to using technology more then? Agree it seems impersonal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With all the overcrowded schools, this is the norm. You can't fit all the parents in one place, so, the video (in my experience in the classroom in ES, in the homeroom in MS and HS).

This. Gets more and more impersonal as the schools get more and more crowded.

Op here. The school isn't over crowded (it's under enrolled). The principal, VP, etc. typically greet us and do a quick segment before sending us to the classrooms. This video was in place of their personal greeting. It was weird. Most parents ignored it and kept chatting.

Anonymous wrote:I cannot listen to Jack again. If he wants air time, he should send us the video. We can view it if we want to.

I'll be texting during that segment like a bored teen.

You are definitely not the only one!

I cannot listen to Jack again. If he wants air time, he should send us the video. We can view it if we want to.

I'll be texting during that segment like a bored teen.