It was okay.
Except that I woke up earlier than I have all summer. It was practically dark. But I knew I would spend the first hour catching up with the other crazies early birds. And that’s exactly what happened. I love my peeps.
I put up new butcher paper for bulletin boards. Much to the chagrin of certain people who think I need to invest in some fabric. I don’t know. I’m partial to my butcher paper right now. It was free. It was easy to cut. And I understand it. As in, I just pull a big long strip and that’s all. I don’t have to do any kind of math, especially the kind of math that involves yards. I’m good with front yards and back yards, but that’s about it.
My twin and her kids are still here so they came for a little bit to help me with my room . . . and then we had lunch . . . and then I introduced Kerry to a bunch of people . . . and then we used the restroom a few times . . . and then the kids played . . . and then it was time to go.
It was hard work.
I was exhausted and decided to take today off.
I’ll go back tomorrow after the whole airport thing. But let’s not talk about that.
I made some “new” treat bags for the parents who show up to P.I.N. That’s otherwise known as Parent Information Night. Or People, I’m Nervous. I hate P.I.N. All those parents staring at me. Judging me. Asking how they’re child is doing even though we’ve only been in school for 7 days. Asking if I can challenge their child because they began reading in utero. Asking how tall I am. Asking.
Stop asking, I wish I could say.
Instead, I pass out food. To butter them up. And keep them quiet. Let’s call it strategy. Last year, I gave out Hershey’s Hugs.
This year, I am giving out starbursts. I saw a version of this on Pinterest. Click {HERE} to check it out. I changed my version for the parents. I encourage the parents to eat the treats while I talk. I figure if their mouths are full, they can’t ask me any of those questions. I highly discourage questions. What if I don’t know the answer? Ohhhh, I am just not looking forward to P.I.N.
Even when you don't answer questions, they still gave you an iPad!
We have some parents that Meet the Teacher night is the only time I will see them unless we make a home visit…and that is usually scary and sad.
The red starbursts are my favorite. =)
Come check out my Hug your Heart jar since you mentioned Hugs above. =)
Heather
Heather's Heart
I am laughing outloud right now! You have a funny way of saying what many of us are thinking! By the way, yellow and orange are my favorite Starbursts. Enjoy your "dinner" tonight!
Connie:)
http://www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com
Ha, LOVE it! Our PIN is BEFORE school starts (although they somehow manage to squeeze in another meet and greet usually at the first PTA meeting). I don't have a lot of parents show up. I make nothing. Maybe (since it's a freebie) I'll make these. It has nothing to do with my love of starbursts….
Bonnie
Living A Wonderful Life
I had to laugh, because I do the same thing with my starbursts! I love the pink & red ones & give the other ones away! I love the idea & can't wait to use it for Open House. ๐
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
These are great! Thank you for sharing! I will be using these at our curriculum night. ๐
Blessings of Teaching
I LOVE Farrells! We don't have those in this part of the country anymore. Hmmm…might have to take a trip. Happy Birthday (to your mom of course)!
Kimberly
Funky First Grade Fun
I always use butcher paper for my bulletin boards because it's free too! And less choices. I am so overwhelmed every time I go to fabric stores.
Also, did you know that Target has a bag of JUST red starbursts? They are all the flavors found in reddish wrapping. SO GOOD!
OOO how cute! I already made my labels for my treat bags. I used your idea from last year and put beach theme with it. I like it. Did I mention that I didn't finish the bags? Went to Wal-Mart yesterday and they were out of Hugs. Seriously…They had tons of Kisses, but now Hugs. Odd. Happy working tomorrow!
http://missredheadandfirstgraders.blogspot.com/
Soo…my maiden name is Oldham. Too funny! I was Miss. Oldham for the past three years. Who woulda thunk! I teach K so it's always great when we were learning CVC words….."Miss. O did you know your name is OLD-HAM???" Nope, never knew that. ๐
I don't know how else to say it, but you crack me up every time!! I think you are totally prepared for your P.I.N. I love the name for it–less scary somehow! When does it take place? I know it will go well for you!!
Good luck with your sundae choice. We do NOT have that restaurant and I am totally jealous!
I can't believe you have your parent night 7 days after the kids are with you! My school does Open House (parent night) after the first 6 weeks of school and I still feel nervous! I also make parents sign up for conferences that night and always get tons of questions. My heart goes out to you because between the beginning of the year, first week of school, etc. I still can't believe you have a parent night. I am totally doing starburst for my night now! I love the pink and yellows!
Have you seen the Starburst bags of just the red and pink ones? Dangerous, I tell ya. I wish they'd make all candy like that. I only like red and purple Skittles. My husband swears it all tastes the same. There is something wrong with his taste buds, clearly!
We have an early Bsck-to-School night… but don't usually have a good turn-out. I think I'll use these cuties for our first day. Thanks for sharing!
We have a "Meet the Teacher" (or creature as some call it)after just 1 week of school….I had to spend my 50th bday eating a greasy burger in the school parking lot, best bday EVER !!! I too have problems making treat bags as I like to sample, just making sure it is safe for the kiddies first I say ๐ Thanks for the tags, very cute !
This is the first year our back to school/PIN night is actually before the first day. So that will be new for me. Our kinder teacher swears by food too. Any event where the parents will be gathering she makes sure there is food to be have. Highly effective too I must say! If I were a parent in your class, I'd very much appreciate you taking the time to make sure I got a red or pink Starburst in my bag!!
โค -Stephanie
Falling Into First
Thank you Kristen – these are great. I am so working on changing what we've always called Back-to-School Night {which is totally a misnomer} to PIN.. so smart. Starburst needs to make a bag of just pinks and reds.
Thanks for the freebie! I'll have to make some of these up and give them to my kiddos parents on the first half day, which is my P.I.N.
I love the PIN bags….very cute. You tell my story too…you tell my story! ๐
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
1) How cute…and 2) how funny to hope they eat so they don't ask questions!!
I only see a handful of parents at Meet the Teacher, and sometimes that's the last time I see them. So sad.
แฆDeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
I'm with you on the Curriculum Night. I hate the questions…especially when, yes, I've only your kids 1 week. What I can tell you so far about your child, has nothing much to do with academics. ๐ Good luck. Great idea…to be passed out near the end of the presentation.
Ice Cream for dinner…you can't beat that!! I like the idea of using these for the kiddos on the first day. Yup, that's the rebel in me…I bribe my kids with sugar and then send them home all sugared up. Actually maybe that's the grandma in me.
I give my parents apples with the poem:
An apple for the teacher is really nothing new, except when you remember parents are teachers too.
Terri Izatt
KinderKapers
I love the ice cream for dinner idea, my friend and I always have fried ice cream as an appetizer, when we go to our favorite Mexican restaurant .
We have back to school night before school starts, it is outside at night in the heat. Last year it was in the 90's when we started. We just say hi and give a packet, it gets awkward when you don't know the parents. Fun times for all.
What a great and busy week for birthdays! Did you have a great dinner- skip it and go right to the ice cream? When I saw that you were going to Ferrell's, it brought me back to a time LONG ago when our high school youth group went after winning our "olympics" against other churches- I believe the boys thought they would be tough/cool and get Ferrell's Zoo- that was so long ago that it LOOKED like a lot of ice cream and stuff- too much for me!
Your Starburst goodies look very special for those PITAS- oops, I mean parents- must be the keyboard moving those letters around on me again!
Shar W
What a great idea, fill their mouths with food and they won't ask questions! I usually just talk a mile a minute for the entire time so they don't have a chance to ask questions :). I think the food idea is better!
Hahahahaha I loved this. Put a smile on my face and a chuckle in my mouth. Thanks.
Emily
Tangled with Teaching
These are adorable. I have a q though.. what do you do if parents/students don't eat sweets? Ever run across health nuts, gluten free parents, or just parents that are against candy?
Michelle
Hey Kristin,
As I was reading your post I realized you are just like me! I only like the pink and red starburst too and ice cream for dinner?! umm, yess! hehe I think that is a great idea to feed those parents! I'll have to keep that one in mind ๐
sarah
teachingiscolorful.blogspot.com
PIN is a NIGHTMARE. It is panic inducing for me too. Good luck girl~
Katie
You're such a crack up, I love it! Thanks for sharing your sweet treat idea. I just went to (Brea) Farrell's today with my three kids. I'm boring, I just had a hot fudge sundae. Ho hum…
This is a fantastic post. Love the way you write!