Kindergarten Parent/Student Orientation

Did you take your kindergartner with you to the parent/student orientation before kindergarten starts? Or did you come alone? Also, if you did bring your kindergartner, did you bring other siblings as well?

I called the school and they said I could bring them all if I wanted to, but I just wanted to know which scenario is best!

Thanks in advance!

 

I took the girls. I personally wouldn't take other siblings - but that's easy for me to say because I only have the twins . You'll see people take the whole family, but hardly ever without the student.

 

I am sure all orientations are different. But I know at my kinder orientation, we have some parent/child time built into the day. I would use that as a special time with your kiddo(s). This is a huge milestone for him/her/them. So my personal opinion would be to make it a special thing that you share together without the distraction of other siblings.

And if your twins are going to the orientation and they are in separate classes, I would have an adult for each child. That way you don't have to share yourself between two classrooms!

 

I went by myself for the boys. But, in our school, the orientation is in June, so they don't know who goes to what class yet. They just randomly split them into 3 groups (one for each teacher), then rotate them through activities, so they meet each teacher. A few people brought siblings, but they were the exception, and to tell the truth, they were more of a distraction for the parents trying to pay attention to the presentation.

 

I agree with Kate. I take whichever child the orientation is for. Our schools do a meet the teacher night for every grade (in elem). They do two presentations so if you have more than one child or classroom to visit, one parent can do it. I'll take Scott and Aaron with me but we'll do Aaron's first because this is a whole new deal for him whereas for Scott it really is JUST meet the teacher and see the classroom.

 

Our school had both parents & students come. We set up a playdate for Zach and then DH & I both went so that we could each be with one of the twins if we needed to be. They did have separate things in each classroom and took separate tours, so we were glad we both went. The school even had us ride the bus there and back so their first bus ride could be with a parent.

We also have meet the teacher the day before school. It's basically just run in and drop of supplies, find classrooms/desks, and introduce ourselves to the teacher. We have an hour to hit three classrooms, so we move fast.

 

We had a parent orientation where we met the teachers and other parents in their class at night so no kids came with us then. We also had student/teacher orientation where our girls got to meet their teachers and that was during the day. I brought the girls with me to meet each teacher since the meetings were back to back but I left their brother at home. Then like I said dh and I went to the parent orientation by ourselves and had someone watch all three kids. In our school they had two different times for the parents so if you have more than one kid you can go to both and if you have three you can set up a seperate time to meet the other teacher and see what their plans are for the school year.

 

we have orientation day that you students are required to go to the fri. before school starts. they take their yearbook pic and meet the teacher very briefly. this was the 1st year we had other siblings and we did take him with us (he's 10 months old). then we have back to school night 2 weeks after school starts. the children are not allowed at that. the parents get to see the classroom and are given a class handbook & a brief presentation is given. we each do half of each kids class that night so we both get to participate in both of the boys' teachers presentations.

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Our orientation was last spring. I thought that was odd. Anyway, we were supposed to bring our kindergartners. They met their teacher and classmates (not that they will remember them, but I think I already eluded to that!), got to ride on a bus, got a tour of the school, etc. The school principal talked to the parents about what to expect.

I did bring my older dd. She just hung around in the background.

 

Ours is next week, and I only plan on bringing my son who is starting Kindergarten. His father and I will both go, so we can meet the teacher and get any information we need. Hopefully we will get to see which class he will be in as well.

 

If it's not too much hassle, having the siblings tag along could make it a fun family event. But, if you're worried it might be too much, maybe just focus on the kindergartner this time. If you're on the fence about what to do, a quick call to childtime customer service might give you some good advice. It's all about what works best for you and your kids!