And… Despite your answer, which would you feel would be the best approach and why?

We have one two days before the year officially begins. I think it’s great so that parents can put a face with a name for homeroom teachers! I loved it as a homeroom teacher—as a math interventionist in a new school and district, it will be a little different for me this year since everyone is new to me!

We have two family nights, one before school starts and one after. Open house before schools starts is a meet the teacher and find your classroom event where it will allow families to familiarize themselves with the school and staff.
The second event is back to school night and it is more personalized to the specific grade and teacher. Families are able to learn and ask questions that are more grade specific.
I find both are important and allow families to not be overwhelmed with beginning of the year information.

We have Open House for 2 hours in the evening before school starts. (This counts as one of our 3 evenings of work that equal a day of school.). Parents and students can come meet the teacher in an informal setting.

Ours does it the Thursday before the first day of school. Generally, it happens after the several days that the teachers get paid for getting their learning spaces ready for students. That way the classrooms look ready when the families come to their child’s new classroom.