Back to school night season is upon us. For the next few weeks, classrooms across the country will be packed in the evenings with eager parents and lots of questions. Back to school night can be a huge stressor for teachers and parents alike. Here are a few things you can do to take the stress off and let your teacher light shine bright!

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Set up parent communication ahead of time.

It is best to set up your classroom on Bloomz before back to school night. In the first week of school, I like to add my students and then enable the class access code. Bloomz will provide parent instructions in both English and Spanish making the setup painless and easy. A few days after giving parents access, I post my syllabus and all the information I will cover at back-to-school night onto Bloomz. This gives parents a chance to familiarize themselves with the class, routines, and procedures. It makes back-to-school night a less stressful event for parents. Instead of being hit with a ton of information, the event becomes more of a review and opportunity to ask clarifying questions.

Brag a bit!

Back to school night is an opportunity for parents to get to know YOU! This is your chance to let them know why you are not only qualified to be their child’s teacher but why you are the perfect fit. What school did you graduate from? What after-school clubs do you run? What parenting experience do you have with your own children? I like to show pictures of my own family so parents see me as an approachable mom who is excited for the school year just like them. The start of a great relationship with the parents can begin at back-to-school night.

Share the most exciting things you have planned this year

Get the parents excited about the school year! Share your big plans for field trips with them, special projects, or guest speakers! Be sure to share with parents anything that will make your class stand out. This will get parents excited about the year and excited that you are their child’s teacher. Parents are also a valuable resource. Sharing big plans gives them an opportunity to lend a helping hand and contribute to making the school year a success.

Restate how to communicate

Communication with parents is of the utmost importance. Back to school night sets the foundation for parent communication for the rest of the school year. At the end of my presentation, I like to reiterate the best ways to get in contact with me. The easiest way to do this is to walk the parents through Bloomz. Show the parents the shared calendar, behavior management, and student portfolios. It’s a great opportunity to set your parents up for communication success!

Have any additional tips for back to school night? Share them as a comment below!