[CALIBK12] Back to School Night

[Heather Gruenthal]

Yes, we ABSOLUTELY do a book fair for both Back to
School Night and Open House.  At my high school, I get
the AVID classes to offer babysitting in the library
during both events in the hopes that it will allow
more parents to attend.  

We make sure to ask the book fair company for
materials for the younger readers, and our babysitters
often read the books to kids.  The parents of these
children are our best customers.  We also have
teachers put out their classroom library wish list and
encourage parents to stop by the book fair before they
leave (companies like Scholastic will even give you a
bonus for holding a "family event").  

I can see why administration may think there will be
no time for parents to come and visit the bookfair
during back to school night because they have to visit
with their students' teachers, but I find that many do
find time to come in before and after the scheduled
events (be prepared to stay later!).

I think making up a bookmark or flier of your
databases to hand out is also a good idea, so your
parents can take advantage of your 24/7 library
access.

I also put out the winning bookmarks from our bookmark
contest (featuring theme related reading lists on the
back).  

For my parents of actual students taking the library
aide class, I give out the curriculum letter
<http://www.westernhs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=28772&type=u&pREC_ID=4343&title=+Heather++Gruenthal&un=hgruenthal&rn=2433971>.
 

Something else I have done in the past for the parents
of my TA's was to have a powerpoint slide show showing
some of the activities students do and have it running
automatically, since I am often too busy running the
fair to talk to individual parents more than a few
minutes.  

Thanks for sparking this discussion.  It has made me
think about being better prepared for my Back to
School Night coming up this week.

  




       
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