Missing School Open House? About This Page:

[wdwlovers]

I just realized that next year Ariana will miss her Kindergarten Open House since we're scheduled to be in WDW. Jason thinks it's no big deal, but I'm not sure. The current K room is right across from her 4K room this year, so she'll know where it's at. And she should hopefully have some of hte same kids in class as 4K this year.

What do you think? We could move our trip up a bit, but then we mess with some camping plans we have made, and we won't be at WDW for our 10th wedding anniversary on the 29th. Her open house would be Thurs the 28th.

Am I being a freak mom?

[rlk]

I don't think it will be a big deal for your daughter to miss the open house, since she is very familiar with the school already. Perhaps you can ask her teacher to let her visit a kindergarten room during this coming school year. This said, you are the one who has to be comfortable with the decision. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[nursemom]

I just realized we are in the same boat. The school calendar was not out when I needed to pick vac. days for 2008. We will miss two open houses and a huge 2nd grade event called "Community Days". I did find out in advance when the state testing was for ELA/Math /Science for my 4th grader, so as not to miss those. Our open house is during the academic year. I agree that I bet they will let you tour the classroom on another date.

Luckily they are not missing something academic in regard to the open house. Open houses are fun, but I bet you will have lots of fun anyway! I decided to just "let it go" as I cannot change either the vac. dates or the school calendar!

[h1mill]

I really wouldn't stress about it since she will be at the same school that she is already familiar with. Now if it had been a big transition, it would probably be a better idea to stay back. enjoy your anniversary!!

[applejenn]

I guess it depends on the school, I remember my sons open house and the teacher took the parents individually and asked questions about the child's home activities and what we did at home, like reading, and writing and what he knew like letters and numbers. And even though his pre school class was right next door and his teacher is in the same office as his old teacher, she still wanted to speak to me. Now for my youngest was opposite, had none of that. So, maybe you can call the teacher a head of time, and speak to the teacher then, just say youll be gone during the open house.

[Chrissi]

DJ missed it this year and they just mailed all the orientation info to me in a packet with his bus ID pass. A mute point as we're cyber-schooling anyway, but they did mail everything to me.

[my2girls]

We missed DD5's this year. There was one in April that I didn't find out about until August, and then we missed the one in August cause we were at WDW. It's not a big deal for me, because DD11 is at the same school, and I know everything.

[Nimros]

Is it possible to speak to her K teacher, explain that you'll be out of town on the Open House date and find out what you'll miss? If there is something important happening, then it would give you and her teacher a chance to maybe schedule a one-on-one meeting either before or after you get back.

Just a thought...

[KrisLuvsDisney]

I would call the school before you go and see if they will let you stop by with her and meet her teacher. Just explain you are going to be out of town and let them know you wanted to get paperwork done and maybe visit with the teacher. You might even mention it to her teacher at the end of the current school year and see what she thinks.

No, you aren't being a freak mom at all. I am the same way. This year we were going to be out of town on meet the teacher night, so I called DDs school and set up a little meet the teacher thing. They didn't mind at all.

[rtphokie]

Originally Posted by wdwlovers

I just realized that next year Ariana will miss her Kindergarten Open House since we're scheduled to be in WDW. Jason thinks it's no big deal, but I'm not sure. The current K room is right across from her 4K room this year, so she'll know where it's at. And she should hopefully have some of hte same kids in class as 4K this year.

What do you think? We could move our trip up a bit, but then we mess with some camping plans we have made, and we won't be at WDW for our 10th wedding anniversary on the 29th. Her open house would be Thurs the 28th.

Call the school, ask if they are doing more than one back to school night. Sometimes they do. If not ask if you can stop by sometime and pick up any materials that will be handed out then. This is often when you'll get the supply lists.

Then email the teacher and explain that you'll be out of town but would like to stop by and introduce yourself some other time.

Originally Posted by wdwlovers

I
Am I being a freak mom?

Yes. Nothing earth shattering happens at back to school night, ever.

[wdwlovers]

Thanks everyone. I had figured that if we missed it, I would speak with the teacher to let her know we won't make the open house. I was thinking of touching base with her at the end of this school year and then again right before we'd leave.

I'm not worried that she's going to miss paperwork. I'm more concerned with how Ariana will do not getting that quick visit right before. Sometimes she can be difficult to transition and I don't want to create stress for her by not going and just showing up the first day. I've got a month yet before I can book airfare, so we'll see how well she adjusts to everyday school now.

[IdahoDisneyMom]

Don't stress. If you know the K teacher already, go talk to her the week before the open house. Ask her if she can let you and your kiddo come one day after school to check out what she'll be sharing during that evening. As a teacher, I can tell you that I wouldn't change my trip. Those evenings are a good chance to find out more about the class, but in a pinch it can be done at a different time.

[Colexis Mom]

I would check with the school/teacher to see what they say. At our open house, Colin went on a bus ride with his classmates (his first time on a bus) and got to meet his teacher (and she read him a story). She also explained what they would be doing in class, some milestones, and such. We'd already been thru it with DD (he has the same teacher) but I think it helped to ease his anxiety about school.

Most teachers are there before school starts anyway, so hopefully you could schedule a meeting so Ariana could go in and meet with the teacher to help with any transition issues

[Jookiba]

My kids have always missed open houses because up until this summer, their summers were always at their dad's in another state.

Everything will be okay....just call the school (which is what I always did) and let them know. You can probably go another day when you're back.

[My2suns]

I'm in a similar situation. We will miss the Open House night in Oct where we get to visit the classrooms and see the work they have done etc.. for both my 2nd grader and kindergartener. I felt bad when I saw the schedule and am hoping to arrange a time for us to take a "look see". And I wanted to tell you that we just recently did the kindergarten open house last week. It incorporated a bus ride, meeting time etc. but I'm not sure that it will have made a huge difference in how my son will transition. We'll find out tomorrow AM! He too was already pretty familiar with the school thanks to pre-school and dropping off his brother. Our school had a kindergarten transition playgroup, once a week for 4 wks in a row, in the summer. This allowed the kids a chance to see the classrooms and be with other kindergarteners. Would your school have something like this that may help with the transition? Don't feel too bad about missing it. I know it's hard for I am the same way...and I can find guilt in everything I do as a Mom but in this instance, the time she will have being with family on vacation will be so rewarding. Feel good about that!