Carly's Top Seven: The First Family Event of the Year

Is your first Curriculum Night or Open House coming up? As we launch our school years, I want to share my personal top seven pieces of advice to take your first event of the year to the next level by being responsive to the families we serve. 

1. Provide Childcare 

We do this weird thing in education where we announce how child-centered we are but then on the first Curriculum Night invite we UNINVITE families who don't have access to childcare. "We are child-centered and we love your kids but oh my goodness do not bring your kids to the school for this event." Provide childcare by offering activities to do with staff members who do not have a "speaking role" at the event (also consider: WHY do certain staff members not have a "speaking role" at the event?). By providing staff that hosts the activities, we can ensure that the children are safe and comfortable while families receive information. Or, perhaps during classroom presentations, educators can lay out a blanket or two in the front or back of the room so that parents can sit on the floor with their little ones and hear the information. Teachers can also lay out crayons, coloring pages, board books, robots, legos, or other toys/materials as well. We cannot shun families for not having access to childcare or shame them if they bring their children.

2. Provide Transportation

Arrange for transportation ahead of the event. Ask the PTA and/or BPAC to share rideshare schedules, bus schedules, etc. 

3. Provide Language Access

Remember that providing language access for families is the law. The invitation/flyers should be available in multiple languages ahead of the event (you know, so that all families are actually invited) and interpreters need to be present. Translators can also provide written translations ahead of the event. Staff who are multilingual can wear buttons on their lanyards that proudly declare their language abilities because that can be a very welcome sight by a family walking through the hallways who speaks a language other than English.

4. Offer a Choice in Accessing Information

"Families & caregivers, if you'd like to virtually attend the event, click here! Otherwise, please join us in person at this date/time." If you're willing, you may also wish to record the session to send to folks who were unable to attend. Remember- no one expects perfection- they desire authenticity, so your recording doesn't need to be perfect!

5. Lower the Affective Filter of the Families/Caregivers

Not all adults feel comfortable in settings like this (for a myriad of reasons!), so let's be intentional about lowering the affective filter for the adults coming in. Let them know where to park (provide a diagram of the parking lot). Let them know which doors to enter. Give them a map of the building so they know where to find the classroom. Offer to meet them in the parking lot a few minutes early and walk in as a group. Let them know that you'll be in a blue dress or a brown suit, or sneakers, jeans, and a hat - so they know who to look for. Send a video message ahead of the event and let them know they don't have to dress up for this event or bring anything with them. Let them know roughly how long the event will be (so if they're arranging for childcare, they'll have an idea).

6. Consider Your Overall Impact

At the end of the event, how do you want families to FEEL? I always wanted this event to feel happy, light, and inspiring. It is critical to start off positively and create a warm experience for families. If they leave feeling uninspired, overwhelmed, or confused- they may not view you or the school in a positive light. No pressure, right? This is especially important for families who have had negative experiences with schools/teachers in the past (whether it is from when they were students themselves, or in their role now as family members/caregivers). Encourage parents to take out their cell phones during the presentation and type in your classroom (or school) phone number. Give them a list of reasons why they may want to connect with you. Consider the "vibe" that you want to give to families.

7. Connect with the Community

Chat up the local library and see if they'd like to set up a booth at the event to help families sign up for library cards. Partner with local youth organizations and have someone stand by to chat if families have questions about the services they provide. See if the park district can have a representative come by to help families fill out forms or ask questions about reduced rates for local activities.