Welcome Packet Ideas for Open House

It’s that time again. Time to get ready to meet your new parents and students at Open House and prepare them for a new year. I hope you’ve done the first step and prepared yourself for this year and if not, don’t worry it’s not too late. Check out my 5 Secrets to Having a Successful School Year post. I want you be prepared to persevere!
I’ve been getting a lot of questions about suggestions for Welcome Back packets for Open House. Unfortunately my school typically had very low attendance for Open House but I still prepared several items hoping that all my new parents and students would show up.
Here is a list of some of the things I had in my packet:
1. Parent Sign In Sheet
2. Transportation Arrangements (First Day and First Week Exceptions Included)
3. Student Info Sheet
4. Volunteer Sign Up
5. Parent Interest Inventory
6. Meet Your Teacher Page
7. Ready Confetti
8. Peace of Mind Packet
9. Contact Card
I didn’t like to bombard my parents with too much paperwork to fill out on the spot, so I just collected those very pressing documents (items 1-4 above) and spent a few minutes talking to them and giving them an idea for how the school year will be. They took the parent Interest Inventory home and sent it back the first week with other documents the school sent home. Items 6-9 were for them to keep!
Here are samples of a few of the documents listed above. I know it’s crunch time for you so provided downloads of them as well. I don’t want you to have to take time to try make them…you’ve got enough to do!
1.Β Peace of Mind Pack and Contact Card
I am a huge advocate for building family partnerships in the classroom. Each year family involvement fluctuated but I still did my best to build the connections. One of the ways I did this was through a “Piece of Mind Pack” that I created for the parents. It was a simple idea that was the first step to letting them know I care about their child and that I am invested in their well being and growth! As you know, that means everything to parents to feel that way.
Download Peace of Mind Pack and Contact Card Templates
2. Parent Interest Inventory
This second idea helps parents to let you know their interests as it relates to partnering with you in the classroom. Some parents would rather go on field trips to chaperone while others might want to be a guest and read a book. I never liked to assume that every parent wanted to volunteer the same way, so I provided them with a chance to be a part of the classroom in a way that best interests them.
Download Parent Interest Inventory
3. Ready Confetti
This final idea was a huge hit with making the new students feel special! First day jitters are real. When a teacher acknowledges these feelings and provides their new students with a thoughtful poem before the first day, it brings a sense of comfort to children. A short poem and a few simple materials with jumpstart your year and begin building teacher-student relationships before day one!
Download Ready Confetti Template
Try some of these ideas out! I’d love to hear how it works for you.
Happy Preparing!
What a great resource! Thank you for sharing. I teach preschool. Is there any way the ready confetti could be edited to say “preschool” instead of “kindergarten”? Thank you for your time and talent!
Best,
Jennie
Thanks Jennie! I am so glad you like the resource and think it will be useful. I adapted the template and made cards that say preschool for you! Just go to the link again and you will find the new document. π I look forward to supporting you and sharing resources with you in the future! Don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected!!!
Thanks for doing this. I was wondering the same thing.
You’re welcome Laura!
the resources are amazing.Thank you for sharing
Thanks Kaysha! So glad they are useful! βΊοΈ
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to hand these out at open house!!
Yay! So glad you can add these to your toolbox! I hope these are one less thing to have to create an think about! βΊοΈ
Super excited and ready to use!!! Looking forward to those social studies ideas as well ππ
Yay! So glad these things will be useful for you Mia!!! Don’t worry, I will be sure to integrate some social studies activities when I get some spare time!π
Wenonah
07/18/2018 at 11:56
Thanks for new and refreshing ideas for the beginning of school, it will help transition both children and parent(s) as well as getting the parents an opportunity to get involve within the classroom community. Love It!!!!
Wenonah, I’m super excited to hear that these ideas are refreshing and something that you can use! I pray these resources will jumpstart that community building process for you and bring your students and parents comfort and assurance that they are in the care of an EXCELLENT EDUCATOR!