Few events fill the air with nervous energy like Open House. Whether you call this Meet-the-Teacher, Parent-Teacher Night, or Open House, the goal is the same: schools welcome parents and families in hopes of generating community support for education and learning. At the end of the night, teachers want parents to know that their students will be safe, loved, and successful.
My perfectionist instinct is always to work long hours in preparation for Open House. A little voice in my head wants the entire classroom to look like Instagram worthy.
Well, that little voice needs to shut up.
A Pinterest-perfect classroom is not reality. My word for the year is sustain, so it’s important for me to set reasonable boundaries and goals. Here’s the steps I’m taking to get ready for Open House without martyring myself.
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Open House Necessities
While I have to be judicious in how I allocate my time preparing for Open House, there are always a few elements that I want to have in place to make the night successful.
First, give parents and families something tangible. Giving parents something they can physically take away from Open House makes them feel like you are prepared for their child. A takeaway also helps parents remember you and your class. Typically, I handout my syllabus at Open House. However, if your syllabus isn’t ready, you can hand out business cards or contact information, a brief class overview, or a checklist of classroom supplies they can donate.
Secondly, a sign-in sheet is so helpful. Open House is such a whirlwind that it’s easy to forget who you have met or which adult goes with which student. For this reason, a sign-in sheet is a great tool to help you remember which parents want a follow-up call or which ones had concerns about their student’s schedule.
Finally, a comfortable but professional outfit is essential. Open House is all about first impressions, so you want to wear something professional. However, Open House is also a long night, so you also want to be comfortable. For this reason, I have a specific Open House dress (with pockets!) that makes me feel confident but is also comfortable enough that I can stand in it for several hours and not worry about the neckline or the hemline.
Good Enough is Good Enough
The three tasks above are my Open House must-haves. While the perfectionist in me might want to have a perfectly coordinated classroom with every detail in place, I have to remind myself that teachers are not candles. We have limits, days only have twenty-four hours, and I need to step back sometimes. With that in mind, I try to approach Open House with a healthy mindset. Here are a few ways to take the stress off.
First, focus on where you will “receive” parents. Get the space around your welcome area looking good. Have any papers or copies organized neatly, and put a bottle of water (and maybe sanitizer)nearby. Honestly, most parents and families will stop at this “landing site,” so you may not have to worry too much about the rest of your space.
Second, write a few notes or messages on the board that answer students’ commonly asked questions. This will give visitors something to read while you chat with other parents and families.
Most importantly, put on a big smile and welcoming tone. Students and families are going to remember your excitement and enthusiasm far more than any details you include on the syllabus. The first day of school is nerve-wrecking regardless, but if students remember that you were excited to see them, they will probably feel more at ease.
Finally, and this may sound cynical, have a closing remark prepared. A meet-and-greet conversation can be tricky because once you’ve run through the pleasantries and answered questions, no one knows how to end the conversation. For this reason, I like to ask students “What class are you visiting next?” This signals the end of the conversation and helps everyone exit with grace.
Open House Finishing Touches
If you have extra time to prepare for Open House, here are a few small steps that will help your room stand out:
- Instead of writing FAQs on the board, put them in a Google Slides show with 30-second timers. The slides will automatically change, and you will appear polished and put together.
- Set out example work from past students to showcase the kind of learning and growth students will make in your classroom. In ELA, I often set out copies of the books we will be reading throughout the year, and/or I set out a copy of the yearbook. These items give families something to discuss while they wait to speak with you.
- Have a goodie for students. Last year, I handed out Starbursts with the note “I’m bursting with excitement for the new year!” (Pro tip: Open House is often an August affair, so skip the melting chocolate). If candy isn’t your thing, students (even big kids) love stickers, so you can give them a sticker with the note “This year is going to stick with you!” Clearly, I really like a cheesy ice breaker to show students that I am not, at all, the cool teacher. Grab my free gift tags for this!
- Finally, follow up with families during Parent-Teacher Conferences, whether those are in-person or virtual.
The Bottom Line for Open House
At the end of the day, students want to feel welcome, and parents want to know their students will be safe and successful. However you structure Open House (or Meet the Teacher or Parent-Teacher Night), focus on those details. Everything else will be forgotten, but how you make students and families feel will set the tone for a bright year!
Photo by Markus Spiske and Joshua Eckstein on Unsplash
