She snuck into back-to-school nights to see if the special education students were hidden in the basement.

"Mrs. Barnes was talking about it at back-to-school night, remember?"

On back-to-school night all parents attend 15-minute orientation sessions with each teacher in every class.

She got two letters, Ms. Houston said, adding that there were information tables at back-to-school night last year.

There's homework, back-to-school nights and an onslaught of meetings.

One fall after the next, you encounter dozens of people you know at back-to-school nights, field hockey practices or play rehearsals.

At back-to-school night, parents don't have to crowd in, they aren't intimidated.

Announce to a roomful of moms at back-to-school night that there will be a bake sale fund-raiser, and you can hear the collective groan.

Her parents worked, that was a fact of life, the acceptable answer to all sorts of requests back-to-school night, cupcakes for the holiday party, field trips.

"We have made that very clear to parents through school meetings, newsletters and posters and at back-to-school night."