Parent's Night

My school had their beginning of the year parent night. This is common in both schools I have taught at so I am used to this kind of evening. With that said I was still nervous about talking to all the parents about the classroom. You never know what could happen. The night went as most beginning of the year Parent's Nights go. I handed out materials, they signed some forms, we talked about procedures, asked and answered questions, etc. The most interesting part of the evening came after we left school.

My students have been together in the same class since the beginning of pre-school (for two years) and so they all know each other very well. It is a tradition for some of the parents to get together after functions such as these and go out for a drink. One parent asked me if I would like to join them. I was a little thrown back by the idea of me drinking with my parents when I first read the invite. I then asked some other teachers about this and they all said it was an ok thing to do over here. So I decided to wait and see how the evening at school went to see if I wanted to join them for a drink. In the end I decided it could be a good way to form a relationship with the parents, and we all know how important that is. So I decided to go. It was a wonderful experience. One parent even offered to order for me in German if I needed, but I said no thanks. I had many great conversations with the parents that were there and I felt really good about the rest of the evening. I just knew I had to share this experience with the people back home, because this is something that would never happen in the US (even though it was talked about sometimes with one parent I can think of, Deborah you know who I am talking about :) ).

It is actually supposed to be in the 60s for the next couple of days, so hopefully this weekend I can get out and about. I miss all of you and keep looking for more wonderful stories.