open house

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Archive : 2003 : June : 29

open house
By MJ

I have each parent tell me something really neat about their child that it might take me a while to find out. You really get some good responses from them.
I also have a "Giving Tree" on the wall. It is a tree with leaves
that list things I need throughout the year--like Ziploc bags, spiral notebooks, pencils, markers, envelopes, paper plates, paper cups, napkins, etc. I ask them to take as many as they wish and to remember that they can donate the same item again later in the year. This really saves me a lot of money and they are more than willing to help out.
I also usually hand out a magnet with

my name, grade and subjects taught, school phone number, email address, planning time, or times I can be reached by phone, and I put my home phone although some do not. These can be taken home and put up on the fridge or at their computer for when they need to contact me.
I also hand out a survey sheet on each child. I can't remember everything that is on it, but pertinent information like: parents' names, who lives in the house with them, email address they can be reached if I need them, pets, allergies, do they wear glasses--just for reading or all the time--the child's weaknesses and strengths--a description of the child's personality--on the back I always say--Now tell me anything else you would like me to know about your child or your family. You will be AMAZED at what you learn about a child from this. Some tell all....
I found that by contacting parents by email I had a MUCH better response. I also could report daily if needed. It worked much better than phone or note.