Questions to Ask at “Back to School Night”

If they haven’t started already, they are coming….”Back-To-School Nights.”  It’s a time to get to know the teacher, learn about school and classroom policies and procedures, and get a sense of things for yourself.  Make the most of this night.  Get your questions answered; network with other parents (look for the parents of the child, your child mentions frequently, exchange contact info, offer to support each other, and to keep each other in the know about classwork/ notes/ projects/ friendships, etc.); build rapport with your child’s teacher (s.) Below are lists of questions for Back-To-School Night, arranged by grade level.  By clicking on the list title, these lists of questions can be downloaded, printed, and taken with you to the meeting.  Here’s to a great start to a successful school year!

Candace

Pre-School/ Elementary Back To School Night Worksheet (82)

Contact Info?

• Email address
• Phone extension/ voicemail
• Location of on-site mail box for handwritten notes
• Preferred contact method for teacher? Email, notes in box, note to front office, voice mail?
• Best way and times to contact teacher for immediate quick update or question? Email, notes in box, note to front office, voice mail?

Office hours?

• Preference days for student- teacher meetings?
• Preference days for parent-teacher meetings?

Class website available?

• Address?
• Homework Posted?
• Project guidelines on-line?
• On-line class calendar?

Classroom policy & procedures?

• Lunch/ snacks?
• Allergies?
• Naptime?
• Leader of the day?
• Birthdays?
• Parent volunteer opportunities?
• Missed work?
• Incomplete assignments?

Homework?

• Procedure for notifying students of homework assignments?
• How long should it take for a child to complete the homework?
• Procedure for reporting difficulty with work?
• Procedure for handing in work?
• Opportunity for 2nd set of text books? Texts on-line?

Conflict resolution?

• How do you resolve conflict between students?
• How do you resolve conflict between teacher and student?

 

Words of wisdom on how to be successful in class?

• How can we support the learning from the classroom at home?
• How can we best support you, as a teacher?

Middle School/ High School Back to School Night Questions (56)

Contact Info?

• Email address
• Phone extension/ voicemail
• Location of on-site mail box for handwritten notes
• Preferred contact method for teacher? Email, notes in box, note to front office, voice mail?
• Best way and times to contact teacher for immediate quick update or question? Email, notes in box, note to front office, voice mail?

Office hours?

• Preference days for student- teacher meetings?
• Preference days for parent-teacher meetings?

Class website available? 

• Address?
• Homework Posted?
• Project guidelines on-line?
• On-line class calendar?

On-line grade-book?

• Time expectations for updates?
• Procedure for errors created in grade-book program?

Classroom policy & procedures?

• Homework?

1. Procedure for notifying students of homework assignments?
2. How long should it take for a child to complete the homework?
3. Procedure for reporting difficulty with work?
4. Procedure for handing in work?
5. Opportunity for 2nd set of text books? Texts on-line?
6. Homework turn-in prcedure? How is work submitted- physically? on-line? in blog format? screen-shots?

• Procedure for recording service hours?
• Conflict resolution over grade disputes/ incomplete assignments?
• Test grade policy?

1. Grading scale?
2. Half-credit?
3. Grading curve?

• Extra-credit opportunities?

Words of wisdom on how to be successful in class?

• How can we support the learning from the classroom at home?
• How can we best support you, as a teacher?

 

Other lists that may be helpful:

Study Buddy Contact List (53)