Our "Open House" is held the third week of school and begins in the courtyard.

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The "set-up" includes folding chairs for the adults, a large on-the-ground seating area for the children, a public address system (with capability for music), a slide machine (or powerpoint presentation projected from a laptop) and a large video screen.

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The evening begins when the principal introduces of the teachers, support staff and officers of the PTO, all of whom have reserved seats in the front rows. Each person STANDS UP and faces the audience when introduced. It is VERY important that both names and job titles/descriptions be announced. This is the single-best way parents have to recognize staff at our school.

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After the introductions, the principal spends a little time talking about his philosophy, goals for the school, special projects and upcoming events, etc. The PTO president is also given an opportunity to talk about upcoming events and fundraisers.

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The favorite part of the evening is the slide show, in which every child is featured at least once. Parents and teachers volunteer to spend the first three weeks roaming the campus taking "candid" photos (many of them group shots) of the students and teachers. EVERYBODY loves this and gleefully yells out "There's Johnny" when Johnny's picture is shown.

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Following the slide show, parents and students are invited to visit the classrooms, where the students have completed special projects that are on display. This is NOT parent-teacher orientation day---that has taken place the first or second week of school. This is an opportunity for children to show their parents what they are learning in school.

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The evening closes in the cafeteria, where the fifth graders host an ice-cream social that raises funds for their class trip. The students sell tickets in the courtyard throughout the evening (supervised by an adult). The tickets are redeemed by icecream served by the fifth graders, and topped with your choice of toppings.

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This is a wonderful event that builds "community" in our school. It is one of the few times we all come together beyond our classroom affiliations and without major "fundraising" expectations. The children have a wonderful time socializing over ice cream and the parents have a great opportunity to get to know each other.

We have what we call is a "First Day Fest" and this is done on the Saturday before school starts. I think this year we are splitting it up where K-2 comes at a different time from 3-5. Any way, PTO has a membership table, with a door prize that will be raffled off to one of the kids whose parents joined that day, PTO also has a volunteer table with information about opportunities to volunteer throughout the year, a Romm Parent sign up table, T-shirt and other spiritwear table, concessions (usually drinks and donuts), and also a table about the upcoming Carnival. The school staff puts together tables for registration, gifted and talented, Diagnostician, Special Services, etc. The Transportation Department for our district comes out (with bus information) and has a table. The cafeteria has a table also to start collecting money on account for student lunches.
The teachers are in thier rooms and each grade holds 2 separate times where you can go and hear thier little intro and meet teachers. The children are able to meet teachers, visit thier room and also go ahead and sort throough thier supply packs and sort them out. If they did not purchase the packs from EPI and the end of school, EPI will be there this day to allow the parents to purchase. The parents can also opt to purchase thier own supplies off alist provided by the district. They are able to bring those supplies that day too. All are labled and put up so that the actual first day of school is ALOT less hectic. Last year was our first time to do this Fest and we had nothing but compliments and praises about how it went.
We also are trying to get our Superintendant to attend this year.

We are having a back to school night approx. 4 days after our year starts. We are a continuous learning calendar school (We start August 1 approx and end the year June 15ish).

We are having a few games (if we get volunteers to staff them) and are inviting local organizations and businesses to set up booths/tables in our gym. We are inviting the Police Dog and his handler, the Fire Dept. (and seeing if they can bring a truck to display and tour), the Boys & Girls Club, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the local library, local health department staff, etc etc. We are putting together a silent auction for later in the year, as well as asking businesses to donate materials/time to various projects (in some cases, we aren't stating specific ones ~ just asking for general donations, with the assurance that we will let them know when/what their donation is used for, and if they have a specific request, we will follow their wishes).

PTO involvement at our school has not been the greatest, yet. Last year there were 3 people. TOTAL. This is my first year on the PTO, and I must say, I am excited about the possibilities. If everyone just chips in A little bit, think of what we can accomplish!

We don't have a Open House.We only have a Meet the Teacher night the night before school starts. On this night the PTA provides cookies and lemonade in the gym (donated by parents called over the summer). We also have a book fair in the gym. The boy scouts, girl scouts and blue birds also have informational tables in the gym. In the school entrance hallway we have a PTA table. We sell school logo t-shirts, sweat shirts and memberships.

I have a question for those of you who have done a Back to School night -- when did you do it? Before the students return, right after they return, or some other time? I'd like to do one this year. We currently have an afternoon orientation the day before classes start, where students can visit their classrooms and meet their teachers. In the gym, we have tables set up for bus students to find our their schedule; a table for parents to deposit money into lunch accounts, a PTO table, and a few others. It is usually pretty chaotic! Later, about 6--8 weeks into the year, each grade level has an Open House. So I was thinking the Back to School night should be maybe the first or second week of school -- after orientation. Just curious as to what has worked for you all.

Oh, and what night of the week usually works best? I was thinking Friday.

I too am trying to start a PTO at a new charter school that will open this Sept. I already asked the board if we can have a picnic at a local park. But they are checking about insurance problems first. But we will be having a open house and tours it is a K-6 and we are almost filled so there will be 450 students. We have to wait till school almost opens to have the open house since construction is not done. Any ideas on if we should have any booths or activities.
Thanks