Back-to-school night is an opportunity for schools to show parents how to follow, but for schools built on a serving mentality, they focus on something else.
Why do parents care about the back-to-school night? For people who are eager to show up and participate, what do they really want?
It's easy to follow the status quo and do business as usual. Instead of asking these hard questions, schools choose to introduce the curriculum, teachers, and schedules, and answer any questions—the normal stuff.
However, for schools seeking to make a change, they find ways to offer something different, such as an experience and insight. Participating in a fun math problem game and experiencing the classroom environment helps parents understand what the school values. When they encounter the teacher's personality, the way they organize the class, and the AHA moment, parents feel they have fulfilled their goal for the night.
Treating any interaction with parents as an opportunity to build trust, care, and connection. The outcome isn't the point; instead, it's how we reach that outcome that is worth remarking.
