Liz Atwood talks about visiting her kids' school on this week's Tween Tuesday:

It’s American Education Week and schools across the region are celebrating by opening their doors to parents and other members of the community. I’ve always attended at least one, and sometimes both of my sons’ schools in past years, and I always learned something. Last year, I discovered that neither of my boys had pencils and were borrowing them from the teachers or classmates. Of course they hadn’t told me they needed pencils and had they bothered to look, they would have found plenty of pencils at home. But I made it a point from that week on to check to see that my kids had pencils.

But while a parent can learn some basic information as the orderliness of a locker or desk or the stock of school supplies, I’ve always found it more interesting to watch the dynamics of the classroom. By spending just an hour or two in the school, I can connect names with faces, watch the interaction of the students and teachers and get a sense for how my sons fit in the school environment.

Some kids might not welcome their parents peering over their shoulders, but my kids never seemed to mind. They usually seemed proud to show off what they do. So this week, I’ll be back again in the elementary school visiting my younger son’s fourth grade class. So far, I’ve heard no word from my high school freshman as to whether my presence is welcome. I guess if I have to ask, I know the answer.