Parent and teacher meet and greet
Tonight our school invited us all for a picnic and meet and greet with staff. This was a first for us, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was a hot afternoon. I had one child who was absolutely beside herself with tiredness. I think most parents would hear me loud and clear on that one. It’s the first full week of school they have seen since last term, and this fourth day in a row just wiped them out!
Once I got them into the shade, and set up our picnic dinner, she calmed down and we could see the effort the school had gone to for the evening. The staff had brought out all of the PE gear, and there were all sorts of activity zones set up around the field. We had tight-ropes to walk, balls games and stilts to master. There was a bit of music playing and quite a few families setting up their picnics in the shade.
A chance to catch up
My kids felt like they were at a party and fully embraced the opportunities on the field. Meanwhile the teachers and parents mingled. I got to catch up with teachers we haven’t had for a while as well as this years’ teachers. I felt it was great because it acknowledged that not every parent is able to drop their children into the classroom or pick them up, and interact with the teachers face-to-face. Not to mention working full time doesn’t allow for as many school trips and events as we’d like. We do communicate via email and that is great for short messages.
However, tonight we had something more valuable. I had a chance to talk about my kids with people who genuinely care about them. I got to see that care in how they interacted with them on the field, as well as how they talked about the triumphs and challenges of the first weeks. I got to tell the teachers things, that I frankly forgot (mind like a sieve) or discuss upcoming learning for the year.
Establishing a great parent and teacher relationship
Having a good relationship with the teachers at your school is important. We have learnt over the years, that if we are all on the same page about behaviours, or abilities or skills that need to grow; then our child(ren) benefit hugely. Whether you have or need extra support, or it’s just you and the teacher making an awesome twosome, it is so important to build a mutually respectful relationship.
Not every school is able to run an event like this, because it’s often hard to stay late like that for staff and families alike. However, if you aren’t able to get to see the teacher as often as you’d like, reach out. You could email the teacher or ask if you could have a note book move between you for any important messages or sharing that is needed. Experiment with different communication options as some things just won’t work for you, while others will get the best result for you and the teacher.
How do you communicate with the teachers in your kids’ lives? Join the discussion in the comments below.
This article was written by Kym Moore. Kym is a working mum of two, and occasional blogger. Fancies herself a writer, when she isn’t editing her kids’ vlogs or running their social media at Baby Likes Cake. Follow them on Facebook and YouTube.
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It’s great to see so many of us have a good relationship at school with the teachers in our kids lives and have that freedom to check in, and share info between class and home. I don’t like to be a hover mum, but I want to know if and when there are issues so we can deal with them as a team. Love having a solid team!
I am so lucky that my 6 year old has had (and has) the most lovely women as teachers so far in her schooling career, they have built a fantastic relationship with her and me, to the point that I would almost refer to them as friends rather just my daughters teacher! My son has amazing kids teachers too, I am not looking forward to him turning 5 next year, it will mean that these awesome women will no longer be a part of my day.
I can relate to this as a Mum and a teacher! As a teacher I value any opportunity to welcome whanau into their child’s learning environment but also as a Mum, we love being involved in our son’s schooling and one highlight for us his annual school picnic 🙂
We had a meet the teacher evening 2 weeks ago my children had the same teachers last year so we know most that goes on but it was still interesting to listen to the teacher discuss what they are doing for the year. We also have notebooks that go to and from school every day to communicate to the teacher or we can email or see them before or after school.
Im all for emailing, its quick and easy and the teacher can email back when they get a chance. Quite lucky though being small town, I know i can pop my head in at any point if need be.
That’s a really cool idea – I have not long started a new job where I can now drop my 5 year old at school everyday 🙂 It’s good as we get to talk to her teacher in the morning when there’s not too many people around and catch up with anything if needed. If do find that the school she is at are great at correspondence via email and Facebook, heaps of info is shared often, it’s really great so far
My children school recently did I meet the teacher’s afternoon I didn’t attend as I walk my children to class everyday and pick them up so I see the teacher’s a lot we usually have a chat most days so we have a relationship where its easy to talk to each other. I know teachers ring or email now too and as they do a lot of testing there is a lot of communication throughout the year. I think it’s important to build a relationship with your children teachers they spend a lot of time with them.
We have a meet and greet evening the second week back to school and even though I know all the teachers at our school well now as it is a small school and between my two eldest kids they have had a combined 9 years of schooling there, i continue to go every year. I love to find out what the teachers hope for the coming year, how their weeks will be structured (swimming and library days etc), what they expect of kids and parents with things like homework etc. Our school does individual teacher talks in each class and while waiting or after you can enjoy a picnic (or a sausage sizzle put on to fundraise!)
it’s a great chance to have a relaxing evening and welcome new families to the school too.
During the year there is an open door policy to come and chat, some teachers do notebooks that go back and forth and others email. I have always found going in at drop off time works for us!