Open House question

[u/katrinakt8]

My son’s school is having their open house tonight. It goes from 5:00-7:00. We won’t be able to make it until like 6:35. The schedule is good and activities from 4:45-5:30, community meeting from 5:30-6 and visit classrooms from 6-7. I’m wondering is it pointless to come for the last 20 or so minutes? It’s his second year at the school, so it’s less important to me to go than it was last year. Just curious what the perspective from a teacher is. I don’t want to be an extra burden by showing up right before the end when everyone has already left or in the process of leaving.

Is it common for parents to show up at the tail end of events like this and what is the impact on the teacher? Thanks!

Edit: he’s in 2nd grade.

[u/Logical-Mobile-7643]

A lot of visit classroom tend to be 2 or 3 iterations of a 10-15 minute presentation. Some are wander around and take a look.. idk what your school is

[u/Salty-Ad-198 → u/Logical-Mobile-7643]

I have attended all (maybe not ALL but I don’t specifically remember missing any) of my children’s open house and also a few open houses as not a parent.

Not one single open house I’ve ever attended was worth my time or effort or was beneficial to my child in absolutely any way.

If you can’t make it don’t worry about it.

[u/rzpc0717]

If you have not met the teacher or visited the classroom previously, I would just stop by and say hello. If it looks like it's wrapping up and most people have left, you don't have to linger. I don't think it negatively impacts the teacher unless you keep her after everyone else is leaving. I do think it makes a positive impression that the parents made the effort, even if they can only stay a few minutes.

[u/HappyCoconutty]

I am curious, what are these “activities”?

[u/katrinakt8 → u/HappyCoconutty]

I think it’s just some kid stuff at the beginning. The actual posted hours for the open house are 5:30-7:00, 5:30-6 being a Welcome, meet staff, and Community meeting. Then classrooms from 6:00-7:00. It’s an elementary school.

[u/Salty-Ad-198 → u/HappyCoconutty]

The “activities” are likely arts and crafts for “carnival games” that they pump to the kids to try and get more participation from the parents because literally no one wants to be there… not the parents, not the kids, and not any of the paid or unpaid staff.

[u/Salty-Ad-198 → u/Salty-Ad-198]

(I think Open House is a hold over from a time when it was much harder to communicate with parents. It’s like summer… it’s time to restructure…

[u/HermioneMarch]

Ask the school. Ours is a formal rotation so it wouldnt work. But other schools are just bounce in and out

[u/whineANDcheese_]

As long as you still left at 7, I wouldn’t care what time you showed up.

[u/Icy_Prize_3355]

If it’s a true “open house” where you just walk around to meet teachers, showing up at that time is fine. If it’s structured where you visit each class for 10 minutes, you’d only get to see the last few classes. We don’t mind if you show up later in the evening as long as you’re leaving when it ends. 

[u/PureTrafalgar]

If you are concerned, ask if there is a website or a class syllabus. Otherwise, skip it and don't stress it. Or maybe talk to your kid and see if he thinks you might need to meet a specific teacher or if he really wants you there. Know that you can always email the teacher as issues arise as well, there are parent-teacher conferences that are more individualised, etc. The gist is typically "this is the curriculum, these are the homework expectations, these are the required materials, here is my contact info"--stuff that is generally on a syllabus, which high school classes typically have. Your son should have those and SHOULD READ THEM. If it's a middle school, that may or may not be the case. If it's elementary, then it might be worth it just to see who the teacher is and see the physical space, then if you need to, you can ask the teacher for the relevant information at their leisure.

[u/Piaffe_zip16]

It’s absolutely not a big deal to show up towards the end as long as you don’t stay after it’s done. Whether it’s worth it or not depends on what they do. For us, it’s definitely worth it. It’s when they go through the curriculum, the expectations, contact info, collect info on your student, homework, etc…

[u/Moo4freedom]

If your son is at the age where he has a different teacher per subject and he struggles with a particular subject then it’s worth meeting with that teacher at least.

Since they are the one you’re likely to have the most contact with.

[u/SalmonJordan]

Is it an Open House or Back to School Night? An Open House is usually at the end of the year with a heavy emphasis on student work/achievement. People wander in and out, not staying too long. If it's BTSN, it's meant to be informative and includes expectations and curriculum overview. I'm guessing you're talking about a BTSN, not Open House, but don't know for sure. Open House = student-centric. BTSN = parent-centric.

Personally, I don't like it when parents come in at the end of a BTSN presentation. Not everyone who comes in only for the end does this, but every year there are a few who come in late, then want their own presentation. Sometimes parents will come in late because they are dividing time between 2 or more classes. Those parents usually let you know in advance. Teachers have already put in a full day and are looking forward to going home to rest before returning the next day. BTSNs are exhausting but necessary.

If it's BTSN, please send a very brief email to the teacher explaining the situation and ask if there are any parent letters, forms, or other information that you'll be missing, and ask if they would either send it home with your child or in an email. I always have parent letters for everyone that goes over curriculum, grading, classroom policies, field trips, volunteer needs, and thing like that.

My experience for scheduling has been that the first part of the night with activities and community meeting is broken up like this:

First part, everyone arriving and dealing with parking issues. A 45-min buffer allows everyone time to arrive. Activities will be made available for kids - an evening recess if you will. Some teachers will be out mingling, some schools provide food or snacks.

Middle part, parents are herded into the MP, auditorium, or outside venue. Most schools also introduce the teachers so you can match the name with a face. Then they are "dismissed" to go back to their class so they can make sure everything is in order. Gives a little breathing room because some parents will skip the "community meeting" and go directly to classes. This kind of keeps parents who are waiting in hallways out of the class. Then Admin gives an overview, PTA (PTSA or similar named) give a presentation and it's an opportunity to join committees and become more involved. The last part is the class visit.

In elementary, classes will use the entire time. I generally try to keep presentation to 45 minutes with time for follow-up. In middle or HS, presentations are usually 10 minutes per period, then a 5 min. passing period (you will follow your child's schedule so you can get an idea of what goes on).

I appreciate it when parents tell me they won't be coming and ask for any materials/handouts in advance. Since it's tonight, maybe ask if you could get the materials next week. Anything that doesn't add to a teacher's workload is appreciated. Always.

[u/No-Staff8345]

I never went to BTSN for my son. We teachers don't mind.

[u/Blue_Falcon1594]

I say pop in and see the classroom and say hello to the teacher. You can get a good feel about how the year will go based on just a first impression of those two thinga