CatholicEdChat is a twitter chat. Topics focus on discussions around educational issues for Catholic Educators and topics beneficial to Catholic Schools. We look forward to continuing to connect Catholic Educators online to discuss education and teaching with faith in our schools. The chat takes place on Saturday mornings. Time 9am EST.
A1. We have an Open House in early December aimed at K . We have one tomorrow for CSW and all grade levels. Added some STREAM projects this year. #CatholicEdChat
Good morning from La Loche SK where it has warmed up to-17, -23 with windchill. After two weeks of extreme cold and indoor recess we are glad for even a few degrees warmer. #CatholicEdChat
A1: We have open House this Sunday for #CSW19 we have several meet and greets throughout the year for prospective families, we have a Family STEAM Night open to the public. Overall I would say at least a dozen. #catholicedchat
A1 - This year we are doing a Family STEAM Night to bring people in, raise awareness for our new initiative, and we have paired it with other items that same night. #catholicedchat
A1 - This year we are doing a Family STEAM Night to bring people in, raise awareness for our new initiative, and we have paired it with other items that same night. #catholicedchat
A1 We have two formal open houses (fall & spring) for prospective families. One back-to-school night for current families. Multiple Parent Brave Days where Ps go to classes during school day to see the real action :-) #CatholicEdChat
This is our fourth annual STEAM Night and it's a huge hit. It's a free event. The interaction between parents and students makes it so fun! #catholicedchat Do you have a theme or is it open ended STEAM activitieis?
We schedule the results of our STREAM Expo competition, book fair, and tours... and of course food! We start new student registration in December. #CatholicEdChat
We do these too. Find the smaller events are popular - Coffee with Counselors (monthly), panel discussions by College Counseling, faith building mornings/evenings... places where relationships can bloom whether prospective or current families #catholicedchat
A2: After our #CSW19 Open House we have a Season's Luncheon, with themed tables. People really get into it. 100% of all purchases made on the day of the luncheon go directly to children in need of financial assistance #catholicedchat
A2: we showcase our bands, drama club, and other school organizations. For families that haven’t been to our campus (we have 2) there are student led tours. #CatholicEdChat
We don’t do an open house anymore but we invite parents in for a variety of events throughout the year. Yesterday we had parents in to read with their kids as part of the Northern Reading Challenge. #CatholicEdChat
a2: Wear school uniforms to Mass this weekend- thank you parishioners; Pep Rally, Minute to Win it Games; All Catholic Schools Mass at Cathedral; Deanery Band Concert @ScecinaNow and VBall Game Friday #CatholicEdChat
A2) we give tours to various areas that are lead by our Ss House Leadership. There is play rehearsal happening and other events. Then we gather and tell Ps and Ss more about our school and admission process. #CatholicEdChat
A2 Purpose (dare I say context) of Open Houses is critical. Fall event geared to prospective 8th grdrs. Spring for 7th grdrs (get them thinking abt high school). Smaller events for relationship building once part of the community. Activities vary by purpose (cont) #CatholicEdChat
This is the bulletin board my students made for the reading challenge. The theme this year was learning from elders. The kids did all the painting. #catholicedchat
A2 (cont) For Fall- each academic dept has demo lessons: science labs, build a robot, make a poem, psych tests... gets students involved in active learning experience & engaging w/ faculty. Helps them *see* themselves in school. #CatholicEdChat
A2) 2...Ts are in the variousareas snd speak to clubs, academics, sports, happenings in classrooms, etc. They also speak 1:1 with Ps and Ss. #CatholicEdChat
Happy to be in DC❤️oh and sort of inspired by today’s gospel. When an acquaintance needs help at #wydDC you feel like Jonah but still go. #CatholicEdChat
A2: We would have a video presentation of events for parents to see and student led tours and treats. The students really enjoyed leading the tours. #CatholicEdChat
A2 (cont) For Spring even (in two weeks) we showcase clubs and activities. Students will have experiences building newspaper pages, practicing with sports team, being on set of school musical... all in round robin style 20 minute periods. #CatholicEdChat
A4: they get a more personal connection to their student’s learning...it’s not a conference but rather a visit to see the progress their student has made. It builds a relationship. #CatholicEdChat
4) parents hear from all of our constituents: students, parents, faculty, staff, & administration. It gives us a great opportunity to highlight those areas each are most experienced/passionate about! #CatholicEdChat
Our Mother's Association and VP for Mission & Identity hosts monthly faith sharing group. All are welcome - topics vary. Usually a coffee at the school from 8-9:30am. Sometimes they meet off site. About 15-30 people attend. #catholicedchat
A4: Parents can hear first hand from their child what they are learning and see what they are creating. They get to talk with teachers, staff, and other parents within the school community to build relationships. #catholicedchat
A4: #openhouses gives parents a chance to see the atmosphere of the school. First impressions are most important when introducing new families to your school #CatholicEdChat
Q5 - How do students benefit from when families and the community attend open house events at your school? How can you best involve students in preparations and activities? #CatholicEdChat
Right - I love hearing our students and faculty share their passions! Seeing the vitality of the whole school is a blessing for families! #catholicedchat
A4) Ps get a feel for what our school is about. Those who haven’t attended an open house for awhile really like the new format and tell us! They love the efficiency and the Ss lead tours. Love learning about the school from the Ss. #CatholicEdChat
It is for that reason too. It’s important to show what makes our school stand out among the strong competition of other Catholic schools and public options in the area. We need to be proud of what we offer! #catholicedchat
A5 - One question that has come up here is not only how to get attendance at Open House events, but how to tie them into Mass to increase attendance there too. Suggestions? #catholicedchat
Love seeing/hearing our faculty and parents share those special aspects of our school I sometimes forget about or simply take for granted! #CatholicEdChat#OpenHouse
So true about first impressions. I remember my mom and little sister going to a HS Open House years ago and that first impression stuck with her. She wouldn't entertain they look further at the school. #CatholicEdChat
Q5 - How do students benefit when families and the community attend open house events at your school? How can you best involve students in preparations and activities? #CatholicEdChat
Great! All of our #OpenHouses are for prospective families. It’s an important point for me to highlight that these families always, always mention how impressed they are with he quality of student work displayed in bulletin boards AND the seasonal decorations! #CatholicEdChat
A5:1 An #openhouse can boost moral of an entire school community and it reflects back to the students attending the school that it is a proud and positive place to be. #CatholicEdChat
A5 Students are tour guides, they showcase their club/activity/sport in open forum areas, they speak as panelists, they co-teach in academic areas... Students bring life to the *house* so they are a part of every step! #CatholicEdChat
A5) Ss benefit as it allows them to speak to what they know, school. It is also great practice for them to speak to a group of people they don’t know. We get feedback from the, onhow it can get better. #catholicedchat
Our Open House is Sunday right after the mass. Folks can visit the school on their way to the parking lot. Of course, having it on Sunday means we’re competing with students’ extracurricular activities. #CatholicEdChat
A5: we need to remind ourselves that the school’s best promoters are the ones that experience it the most...our students! We need them to sell the school to others. They need to be excited about being there so others want to join in! #CatholicEdChat
A5:2 By including students in activities or showcases at #openhouse, they take some ownership in their school and it gives them a role in the schools development and future. #CatholicEdChat
We have a Mass before Open House... Open House is on Sunday: Mass at 10am and event starts at 11:00ish. Families are invited and students are active in Mass (varsity choir, lectors, ushers). Our chapel sits 250 and we usually fill it. #catholicedchat
In reply to
@BarbInNebraska, @TeacherPick, @McTeach
Students are the voice of the school...when parents/stakeholders hear directly from the students, it makes it personal. Plus, students love to share!! #catholicedchat
#catholicedchat A6: when talking to prospects, get your talking points of pride from your stakeholders and be sure to repeat them as coming from your satisfied community members.
A6: be present...greet all families...visit the classrooms to know what Ts are doing so they can discuss with families...sell the school through showing their passion for the school and students. Make sure all feel welcome! #CatholicEdChat
A6: School leaders should prepare to showcase everything they’re school offers to attract new families. You must have a #growthmindset and be willing to include everyone in the event. This one event can decide many families final decision. #CatholicEdChat
A6: School leaders should prepare to showcase everything the school offers to attract new families. You must have a #growthmindset and be willing to include everyone in the event. This one event can decide many families final decision. #CatholicEdChat
I always laugh at end of the day... we all grump about Open House prep and then by end of day we are hugging, laughing, and saying how much we love our school, co-workers, students & families! #catholicedchat
In reply to
@V_Spadoni, @acottos, @BarbInNebraska, @Room113SMM
Terrific! These “talks” definitely inspire interest! When parents hear the passion we have about our schools, what’s not to be drawn to?? #CatholicEdChat
I always laugh at end of the day... we all grump about Open House prep and then by end of day we are hugging, laughing, and saying how much we love our school, co-workers, students & families! #catholicedchat
In reply to
@V_Spadoni, @acottos, @BarbInNebraska, @Room113SMM
A7 - I challenged each teacher to develop a service project for the year so they could showcase throughout the year. Gives ownership and ties to our mission #catholicedchat
A7: We had teachers stationed in classrooms and demonstrating current activities and projects. Parents could even be included in a lessons that gives them a glimpse into what their children will see and do. #CatholicEdChat
I am also setting up displays where attendees can try out our new Spheros, play with the LittleBits coding kits and I will be available to talk about our growing STEM curriculum at the school #CatholicEdChat
A7: we encourage Ts to have some kind of interactive activities that families can participate in. Ss love showing parents what they can do! #CatholicEdChat
A7. Switching to active learning experiences in academic classrooms really gave faculty a chance to create & communicate their passions #CatholicEdChat
I always laugh at end of the day... we all grump about Open House prep and then by end of day we are hugging, laughing, and saying how much we love our school, co-workers, students & families! #catholicedchat
In reply to
@V_Spadoni, @acottos, @BarbInNebraska, @Room113SMM
Our 8th grade boys will be publicizing their own March Madness basketball event to raise money for charity. I thought that was cool....a PBL service project! #CatholicEdChat
A8: it’s a great tool to use to promote the event, to show those who couldn’t be there what is going on, and to seek follow up to those who couldn’t be there and were there...but social media cannot be the only way to promote open house! All need to sell it! #catholicedchat
A8 We use social media channels to preview (video & photo) the school & event; communicate/invite to events; live tweet/insta events (student *take-over* of school accounts), review after event in highlight reels & print alumni magazine #CatholicEdChat
Good morning #catholicedchat -- helping coordinate the Indiana State Debate Tournament, so no time to chat, but if you are going to be at #FETC19 and want to meet up, I am presenting on Mon. and Tue. -- I will be the one in the hat looking at a computer. (HA!)
I like to think of our Open Houses as 'bigger picture'...supporting Catholic schools nationwide. Showcasing Skype sessions with other schools (showing screenshots, etc.) We are all on a mission together.....educating (or educaring) the whole child. #CatholicEdChat
A8: SM needs to be a HUGE part of marketing your Open House, but more importantly getting the people who attend to follow the school on Social Media. Build connections & make Open House every day. #catholicedchat
These photos are from formal (Sunday) Open House. But we have Parent Days multiple times during school day where parents have a welcome session, attend 2 classes in normal bell schedule, then wrap up with student panel. Popular way of showcasing the school! #catholicedchat
Just have to brag. prime Minister Trudeau had breakfast with our grade 6-12 students on Wednesday. My grandson was thrilled to meet him! it wasn’t an open house due to security concerns. #catholicedchat
