Why Labels on Family Events Matter

What do we name the discussions/ conversations/chats whose target audiences are parents and family caregivers of children who attend our schools? We call them everything except that for which they truly are intended. We aim for partnerships, to provide academic performance updates and familiarize families with the curriculum and expectations.  Aside from individual student specific school-related meetings with staff, most events that target parents and families are poorly named.

Events of great significance, for example- the Parent-Teacher Conferences– are rather poorly named. As a parent, or a career professional[making no assumptions that parents can’t be both], when there is an upcoming ‘conference’, the mental imagery is usually a formal, rigid event. More appropriate for a professional team, or individuals convening for the purpose of information gathering, strategizing or brainstorming ideas and concepts, because everyone is already connected and equally respected with the knowledge that they belong there and are welcomed.

Although the aim and agendas are…