Our high school does back to school "night" on the afternoon students pick up a paper version of their schedules and pay fees, etc. The teachers are in their classrooms from 4-7, just stop in if you want to. No bells, no schedule, on your own time, very relaxed.

I remember doing the FCPS thing you describe on the BTSN, and it always felt too rushed. But with FCPS parents, that might be the point. Get you in and out quickly with no time to hassle the teachers. There was always a keep-parents-at-arms-length vibe in FCPS schools, but I understood why. Some parents are crazy.

Anonymous wrote:Zoom suggester PP.

I stopped participating in anything school-related that I had either done before and found to be a waste of time and/or had become overly complicated. That alone eliminated so much!

I quit the following: attending PTA meetings, Back to School Nights, Parent Coffees, Set Up/Clean Up Events Staff, Pre Game Happy Hours (ahead of HS team), hosting family (team) dinners in-house, End of Year class and or team parties, to name just a few.

There is immense freedom in saying no or not participating and opting out.

Do a lot of people enjoy all those things? I feel terrible in a way, but I do not. Growing up my parents did absolutely none of this aside from back to school night, simply because it didn't exist. There is too much pressure on parents to do too many things and be so involved. I'm not sure it benefits the kids in any way. Meanwhile, the one thing I wish I could always attend are games and meets, and those get scheduled ridiculously early, sometimes at 4.30 even. Yet most people seem to attend.

Zoom suggester PP.

I stopped participating in anything school-related that I had either done before and found to be a waste of time and/or had become overly complicated. That alone eliminated so much!

I quit the following: attending PTA meetings, Back to School Nights, Parent Coffees, Set Up/Clean Up Events Staff, Pre Game Happy Hours (ahead of HS team), hosting family (team) dinners in-house, End of Year class and or team parties, to name just a few.

There is immense freedom in saying no or not participating and opting out.

Anonymous wrote:I went last night. Walked away so impressed with many of his teachers. Obviously there were one or two questionable folk, but overall such high quality teachers who seem to know what they are doing. In 10 short minutes, they were able to provide a snapshot of themselves, the organization scheme of the class, what the expectations are, where parents should intervene, grading, and how their past classes have done with the AP exams. I walked away feeling my child’s junior year is going to be tough but in great hands.

Was this Oakton by chance?

I love going to BTSN even though parking and hallways are insanely crowded and stressful. I appreciate seeing the teacher and classroom in person to get a sense of what my kids experience at school (including the crowded hallways). I never try to ask the teacher individual questions but just listen.

I hated zoom BTSN during the pandemic. The only value was that I got a sense of how awful virtual school was for my kids.

My youngest is a 12th grader and I was so impressed with her teachers last night and so grateful for their time and presentations. They also seem like fantastic teachers. Thank you, teachers!

I went last night. Walked away so impressed with many of his teachers. Obviously there were one or two questionable folk, but overall such high quality teachers who seem to know what they are doing. In 10 short minutes, they were able to provide a snapshot of themselves, the organization scheme of the class, what the expectations are, where parents should intervene, grading, and how their past classes have done with the AP exams. I walked away feeling my child’s junior year is going to be tough but in great hands.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t go because I am too big to sit in little kid desks where the seat is attached to the desk. So it’s embarrassing. I wish I could go.

This is the most idiotic reason for not going.

I don’t get much out of it, but I guess it’s good to see the teachers and hear them speak. It flies by and there’s no time to chat with the teachers or ask questions because everyone is so rushed.

Sophie’s Choice poster here. Sorry, I did not mean to offend, I was simply trying to describe my predicament.

It’s only once a year. I like meeting teachers in person, it’s kind of one of few chances.

My HSer told me “ Don’t Tony dare even think of going.” I guess the boss decided for me. I go to my little one’s BTSN in ES as it is fun and like a block party.

I go to conferences only

I personally like the opportunity to meet my kid's teachers or at least hear them talk about the curriculum. Kid is a sophomore and I feel pretty disconnected from her schooling otherwise.

I found it useful. I was not able to attend last year, and it felt strange that I never met my kids' teachers, nor have I seen their classrooms.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids were 1 grade apart. BTSN was like Sophie's Choice trying to navigate which teacher to omit. Before you ask, my DH was always traveling for work.

Sorry, but you’re gross comparing your little predicament to Sophie’s Choice. Please don’t make comparisons to the Holocaust like that ever again when describing your problems - it’s disrespectful.

Im sure someone will say lighten up but I had the same reaction and would like to retire this phrase. I heard people using that ohrase for years and then finally saw the movie (without knowing what it was about — it was just on TV) and I was like “holy sh—t, that’s the choice?!?” Makes me sick whenever I hear the phrase — it’s so disturbing.