<p>I posted this question in HS class of 2014 but was advised to seek wider audience.</p>
<p>DS1 goes to new school (private catholic). We received an invitation today for an informal reception hosted by upper classmates parents. What should we expect? Is it welcome to the community or some sort of fundraiser? What should we wear? Are we expected to bring something? </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>In my experience (elementary school, not catholic), these are usually “welcome to the community” events…but the school is always eager to accept donations. Or volunteers for the PTA. You’ll probably meet some of the more active parents and their partners.</p>
<p>Don’t bring anything.</p>
<p>You’ll have to find someone better qualified on the wardrobe question. 
But “party casual” probably will suffice, I’m guessing. (Don’t dress too fancy, or they’ll really want that donation!)</p>
<p>Don’t know about secondary school…but I’ve been helping for a few years with a reception run by our local alum association for incoming college students and their parents. It’s always held at an alum’s home.</p>
<p>We do not solicit funds, and do not charge any fees to the incoming students and their parents. Alums attending are asked to pay a fee. </p>
<p>Many of the families invited bring a plant, or flowers or cookies for the person hosting the event. They’re not asked to…and not all bring something. </p>
<p>What time of day is the reception? Anything on the invitation indicating if it’s indoor or outdoor? If it specifically says “informal reception”, then business casual (collar shirts, khaki pants, no sneakers) should be OK…especially if it’s in the daytime.</p>
<p>This sounds like a purely social event.
At our daughter’s school, fundraising events are hosted by the school’s advancement office.
Have you been paired with a “buddy family” yet?</p>
<p>The invitation has an address, time (7 pm to 8:30 pm). Refreshments will be served. So I guess it’s indoors, but I’m not sure.
I like the idea of a plant. Thanks, 2boysima.</p>
<p>Don’t bring anything, wear business casual, and they won’t be asking for any money.</p>
<p>stradmom, sometimes heavy accent is good thing. I can get off any PTA list in two sentences if I want to. :)</p>
<p>siliconvalleymom, no “buddy family”. At least not yet.</p>
<p>Talya, I’m having a wonderful picture of you putting on the accent and scaring the socks off some enthusiastic committee chair! :)</p>
<p>My S goes to a private jesuit school. His school has a welcoming reception at the school where dress is business casual. While they are not actively soliciting money one of the reasons for the reception is to show off to the parents and get them involved so they will be willing to donate at a future date. </p>
<p>If the reception is at a parents house, a gift of a plant as others suggested is a nice thought but not necessary.</p>
<p>This is also a great opportunity to get to meet other parents.</p>