Parent Information Night — PIN for short — is an annual tradition at La Entrada School. PIN takes place one evening during the first week of classes and it is the same exact concept as Back to School Night except PIN is a way cooler sounding acronym than BtSN.
I used to enjoy PIN a whole lot more than I probably should have. We teachers were given twenty minutes to sell our entire program — from curriculum to grading policy and every conceivable detail in between — in the front of a jam-packed classroom filled with upwards of 150 parents. I could stand and talk for days on end to a room full of students but the second you put me before a bunch of adults, I turn into a bundle of nerves.
Typically, once I began my presentation the anxiety subsided to such a degree that the rate of my speech resembled that of a master debater. When all was said and done, not only had I survived, I felt better than awesome. Invigorated.
By far, my favorite part of PIN was trying to take my friend and colleague Diane off her game mere minutes before her presentation. It all started my first year when I wandered next-door to see how she was doing and we got to talking about this and that. As it got closer and closer to showtime, a joke that I had recently heard came to mind.
So this guy walks into a psychiatrist’s office wearing nothing but Saran Wrap. The doctor looks him over and says, “Sir, I can clearly see your(e) nuts.”
Diane laughed hysterically as the bell rang and the parents began to file into her room.
The Adventures of ALS Boy 
First off, nice joke. I will be retelling that one in the lunch room.
Secondly, I know just how you feel about talking in front of adults, yikes. I just had my BtSN on Wednesday. Kindergarten parents can be quite frightening!
I might ask my principal if we can change the name to PIN! I really like that.
And you know, for me, PIN night is my least favorite thing. It’s crowded, it’s confusing, everyone is trying to figure out where to be and when to be there. I’m lost, I’m nervous, I don’t know whether to ask my dumb questions in front of all those smart-looking parents. And yet, it’s a ritual that seems to officially kick off the school year. After PIN we can settle in for the long haul. Now *I* know what the expectation for my kids is, which is sometimes *not* what the kids told me. 🙂
Last night was the first time – ever – that I missed PIN night. I was at the doctor’s office with Katie for a follow-up on her broken collarbone. Doctor was running an hour late, but he didn’t give us short shrift with his time when finally arrived. He wanted another xray, they were backed up. Finally, 3 hours later we were done, and it was 7:30.
I hated missing it, but in a way I was relieved to have missed it. My daughter is thrilled to be in Mrs. Picetti’s 8th grade English class (she had her in 6th grade too). Now we’ll both be reading your blogs together, and that will be very special for me.
You said “master debater.”
Heh-heh…
I can never look at my audience on PIN without thinking of Saran Wrap! Or, for that matter, how you used to work yourself into a froth during PIN and then visit my room afterwards wringing wet!
My parents don’t engage in PIN Night.
At least you didn’t have to go to the home of each of your students…sometimes two per student…with parents holding you captive while they ask you any and every possible question for the entire school year, most of which you can’t answer because the school year hasn’t begun.
PIN sounds a lot easier. 🙂
BTW I read Bryan’s comment and told Adam the two words you wrote. Why do all Bishop’s think alike?
not ALL bishops 🙂
Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I think I was officially the worst PIN speaker!