In respect to Parent-Teacher Conferences, Community Event nights, and Back-to-school nights, these after school events often only pertain to core subject teachers and other teachers either don’t have to come or are allowed to leave early. It is extremely unfair that all teachers do not have to be present.
Are all teachers supposed to have the same requirements for time, since we all have the same contract of 1,450 hours?
Community nights are not just calendar events—they reflect who we are and what we believe in as a school system. In Albemarle County Public Schools, our strategic plan calls us to affirm and empower our communities, know every student, and build relationships that ensure all families feel welcomed, heard, and informed. That work cannot happen in isolation or within the confines of the school day.
By opening our doors after hours, we create space for families to experience firsthand what their children are learning and how they are growing. These evenings allow us to share the joy of learning—to celebrate student creativity, curiosity, and accomplishments—and to help families understand how they can support their children’s academic and social-emotional development.
Families expect transparency. They want to know: What is my child learning? How are they doing? And how can I help? Community nights give us the chance to answer these questions directly and in person, while also building trust and breaking down barriers that might exist for those who haven’t always felt comfortable in school spaces. The number one person families relate to in their school is their child’s teacher.
Outstanding schools and staff make these moments a priority. They spend time at school after hours, not because they are required to, but because they understand that relationships with families are essential to student success. As one staff member noted, “Families are always welcome in the building, and we make an effort to host engaging and meaningful community nights to bring families into the learning process and to highlight student achievement.” These events are a critical opportunity for parents to understand what their children are learning and how well they are doing. We want families to feel empowered to ask questions and leave with ideas for how to help their children at home.
While the licensed staff contract defines 1,450 hours per school year, based on 7.25 hours per day spent receiving students in the building—it does not encompass all the time required to fulfill the responsibilities of a professional educator. Activities like back-to-school nights and community events are essential extensions of our work, not exceptions. All licensed staff are expected to attend these events, as they are a core part of how we connect with families, build trust, and reinforce our shared commitment to student growth and success.
In a division committed to equity, excellence, and joyful learning, community engagement is not an add-on—it is foundational to our mission.