Tips for Simplifying Back to School Night

Back to School Night, I have to admit, is always an evening I dread. It's not because I'm not looking forward to meeting my kids, it's because I'm just so dang tired by the time that night rolls around. I don't know about you, but by that time, I've spent countless long  (we're talking 13+ hour) days in my classroom preparing for those sweet littles to walk through the door. And I'm tired. Can I get an amen?

I used to get so worked up about having everything just perfect by 5pm on Back to School Night, but I've learned to streamline and simplify some of my processes. 

When students and parents walk in the room, I greet them and hand them a BTS Checklist. You can find a (free!) editable version of this in The Vault.

Back to School Night Checklist

I found that when I stopped asking parents to do paperwork at Back to School Night, everyone was so. much. less. stressed. Instead, I send home an envelope full of information and paperwork for parents to review at home (well after their kids go to bed and the, "mom, mom, mom, I'm hungry" stops). 

Back to School Night Paperwork - Manage all of the BTS Night paperwork with a 9x12 envelope

To make these envelopes, I print off about 30 of these cover pages and laminate them onto 9x12" envelopes. Once laminated, I use scissors to score the opening, and then they can be used year after year! I make sure to make lots of extras, because I know I won't get all of them back. The best part about this system is that I only have to make the envelopes once every three years or so, and they are so easy to store for the next year!

Want the cover page? Click here for access to The Vault (an exclusive library of freebies just for subscribers)

So what's inside the envelope? 

Inside the Back to School Night paperwork envelope I include a welcome letter introducing myself, a parent handbook, a student information page, a letter about homework and flexible seating, and a handout all about growth mindset

  • A Welcome Letter from me, introducing myself

  • Our Parent Handbook that answers questions about pick-up, drop-off, snacks, etc.

  • A simple Student Info Questionnaire - to gather info on student strengths and likes/dislikes

  • A letter about homework - I structure homework much differently than my parents are used to, so this answers a lot of questions! (This can be found in The Vault)

  • A handout about flexible seating (also found in The Vault)

  • A handout explaining growth mindset - this terminology is new to our parents! This letter gives a short and sweet explanation and some ideas for parents to help their kids at home. Snag it here for FREE!

Free growth mindset parent letter. This letter explains the difference between a fixed and growth mindset and also gives parents some ideas for how they can help their child develop a growth mindset
Back to School Night paperwork made simple

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Back to School Night can be so stressful. So many parents, so little time, so much to say and do! Simplify the back to school night process with a 9x12 envelope and a checklist! Back to School Night FREEBIES included!
Back to SchoolSarah Gardner