Bless their hearts

[fish2]

Today we did our annual "stroll" - instead of having an open house at school to meet our students we go to THEIR house to meet them. We have a 90%ish free/reduced rate. It's an eye-opener to see where some of them live. Every one of them is READY to come back to school. Just bless their hearts.

 

[L8 4 School]

How cool!

I can only imagine their faces when THEIR teacher came to THEIR house!!

 

[Giraffes]

Home visits

We do home visits at my school too! It is my favorite part of our back to school routine. The kids are super excited to meet their new teacher and to welcome you to the house.

 

[tripteach]

Open

Do you go before school starts? Do you go as a group? My students are 98% free lunch and I have always wanted to do this, but never knew how to do it safely.

 

[TeachChicago]

I think that is a wonderful idea! A new colleague introduced me to home visits and I think they really help teachers understand more about the students' lives. I think it is great that your district encourages home visits. I am sure the parents really appreciate you taking the time to go to their houses. I would be floored if my child's teacher came to our house!

 

[fish2]

Do you go before school starts? Do you go as a group? My students are 98% free lunch and I have always wanted to do this, but never knew how to do it safely.

All 1 - 5 classroom teachers go on the same day/time. We each go with a partner - either a special teacher, assistant, or a K teacher (they don't have their classes yet, still testing). The Stroll committee mails postcards that tell when we are coming (4PM - 7PM) so they have advance notice, it's usually the Thursday before school starts on Monday. I have a city map and highlight all the streets, then plot a course, it took about 2.5 hours to see all my class tonight. The kids LOVE it - they talk about it all year. They are watching to see what car pulls into their driveway, and they come RUNNING!!! It's a fun night. Our superintendent came to see us off today. We love it.

 

[Cleo88]

How cool!

 

[BioAdoptMom3]

It must take a tremendously long time, but what a neat thing to do! It really lets the students and families know you care and that is more than 1/2 the battle with so many of these families! I used to teach in a school like that. Yes, some of those homes and neighborhoods where they live are really shocking!

Nancy

 

[audriana]

Do parents have the opportunity to opt out?

I wonder if any of the parents would be too embarrassed to have their child's teacher come to their homes? (Or maybe even some of the children if they live in a complete mess and they are aware of how bad it is. I guess it would depend on the child.)

It sounds like a great opportunity for teachers!

 

[fish2]

I wonder if any of the parents would be too embarrassed to have their child's teacher come to their homes? (Or maybe even some of the children if they live in a complete mess and they are aware of how bad it is. I guess it would depend on the child.)

We always have a couple of families who will come out into the yard to talk to us, and some that just don't answer the door - even though we can hear them inside. We just leave the welcome letter on the door and leave.
One thing that makes me smile is when we go to a Habitat for Humanity home - they are always neat as a pin. That makes me dig deeper into my pockets for that cause.

 

[*Fairydust*]

I would want an announcement before anyone came to my house. Sometimes it's a mess and I am embarrassed for people to see it. DO you announce your visits prior to going?

 

[bellc2]

Wow! That would be enlightening! I think that would be a great idea and the kids would be SO excited, plus the parents would be impressed that the teachers would make the time to make the visit. As long as the parents are aware of the upcoming teacher-visit, they have the options of welcoming you into their homes, greeting you outdoors, or not being available. Wonderful idea!!