It's back-to-school night...

NEA Today, Sep 1998

How do you get reluctant parents to participate?

Our school has noticed an increase in parent participation in back-toschool night ever since we started doing evening programs.

The students from each class perform in front of their parents in the multipurpose room. Presentations range from poetry and music to medleys and dances.

Everyone gets excited about this annual program. Students have the opportunity to shine onstage, and parents are anxious to come and see their child perform. Video cameras are everywhere.

Leticia Silva

Fourth grade teacher

Yuba City, California

We give 10 incentive points to each student whose parent attends any Pl SA meeting or parent night, which includes Freshman Orientation Night and the two times a year that parents are invited to pick up their children's report cards.

We've seen a dramatic increase in parental attendance since instituting this reward. And these incentive points can really help a student teetering between grades.

Marsha Franklin

High school English and French teacher

Maysville, Kentucky

Turn the occasion into a treasure hunt. Send personal invitations at least a week ahead of time-and make sure parents understand that children are welcome.

Make a list of areas that you hope parents will visit-the PTA or PTO sign-up table, the school office, the library, the supply store. Attach this list to a map of the school and pass out copies to parents as they arrive.

As parents visit the areas, hand out pertinent information and have them check off their list.

Of course, the "X" on the treasure map should be your classroom, where parents and children will find a "treasure" of refreshments waiting!

In your classroom, the hunt could continue by having parents locate their child's desk, read the classroom rules, visit the science center, and sign up to help with a class party. Put the sign-up list at the back of the classroom, next to the refreshments you're serving.

Leah Keith

First grade teacher

Montgomery, Alabama

During the school year, when a teacher or grade level wants to make a more formal presentation that does not include children, our parent group has been very generous in providing child care at the school. Our parents are appreciative, and we're able to have presentations where large numbers of parents attend.

Suzanne Moore

Second/third grade teacher

Milwaukie, Oregon

Our elementary school was "reconstituted," and all staff-from the principal to the lunchroom managerwere newly assigned to the building. Meeting as many parents and community members as soon as possible was very important.

We presented a school T-shirt to each student who brought a parent to our first open house. Attendance was nearly 100 percent.

Cay Spitzer

Third grade teacher

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Last year, our seventh grade team had a great showing of parents for back-to-school night. Some reasons:

Students created and displayed brochures of themselves. They really wanted to show themselves off.

Each teacher adviser made phone calls inviting parents personally.

We provided delicious snacks that we were sure to tell students about.

This year, we plan to initiate student-led conferences.

Judi Ferreira

Seventh grade teacher

New London, New Hampshire

Got an Answer?

How do you deal with parents who insist on a specific teaching strategy or method?

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