The back-to-school night may take place during mealtime for many families, so having refreshments available is a way to show that you respect their time. Provide simple foods such as cheese and crackers or a bowl of trail mix for everyone to take from. Lemonade and water will work for beverages. Provide cups and small bowls or plates, as well as napkins.
Each child's desk should be labeled with her name, and her text and other books should be available for parents to look through. A newsletter geared toward the parents should also be placed on each desk, with a welcome letter, a rundown of what the children are learning during the first month of school and a blank page for parent suggestions and concerns. A lunch menu is also welcome. Be sure to have a classroom rules list, as well as a homework policy explanation.
You may decide to have the children write letters to their parents, explaining what they have been doing in their classes thus far. The students may hand these out to parents once everyone is settled, or the letters may be placed on their desks with the other items. Blank note cards and some pens should be made available for parents to write notes to their children as well.
The parents will enjoy seeing a video of what their children have been doing during classes so far this year. Allow each child an opportunity to talk about what he is doing while video taping. You might present this video after discussions and before social time.
Parents want to know what their child will be learning and what projects they may be working on during the school year. A printout explaining what will be going on in each class on a month-by-month basis is a good way to show them the topics you will cover with their children throughout the year. After handing these out, talk about each item on the list in more detail and allow students and parents to ask questions.
Each service project the students will be involved with deserves its own explanation as well. A flier and discussion explaining the aspects of each project, and giving the dates they will engage in the projects, will help the families to prepare in advance.