Friday, October 20, 2017

NMS Parent-Teacher/Student-Led Conferences Thur 10/26 & Wed 11/1



It's Time to Conference

Next week you will be receiving a BlackBoardConnect message reminding parents/guardians about our Parent-Teacher and Student-Led Conferences on Thursday, October 26, and Wednesday, November 1.

Our Parent-Teacher and Student-Led Conferences are beginning on Thursday, October 26, 6 to 8:30 PM, and then the next Wednesday, November 1, from 4 to 6:30 PM.

The last couple of years, we have successfully piloted some Student-Led Conferences in pockets throughout the building, and we have continued this practice for we have seen the success it can have. 

Parents and Students, who presented to School Committee a few Springs ago on the virtues of Student-Led Conferences.

This year, many of you may be engaged in a Student-Led Conference instead of a typical Parent-Teacher Conference, especially if you are the parent/guardian of a Sixth Grader.  The reasons for this are many-fold.

Your children have worked hard to prepare for these conferences so I hope you will come and listen to them as they explain for you what they have learned, how they are doing, and what they still need to continue to work on.


We believe Student-Led Conferences put the student, your child, at the center of his/her own learning.  Your child will sit and discuss with you how his/her learning is progressing and what he/she still needs to do in order to improve.

Research tells us that when we have the students at the center of their learning and give them a chance to explain it, they will achieve more.  So please come and experience this with us.


We understand that there also may be times where you need to talk with your child's teacher, and our teachers will be here in the room with you, on hand to do so as well.  But in the five minute time frame that you will have at a Parent-Teacher Conference, it typically does not give anyone enough time to discuss things. If you feel you need more time, please use the time during these "conference" windows to set up a better time that will work to discuss your child's present situation in more detail.

And if the night isn’t packed enough, we also have our Fall Book Fair in the Media Center on both nights.

I have attached an excellent article on Student-Led Conferences.


Thank you and hope to see you Thursday, October 26, evening 6 to 8:30 PM or Wednesday, November 1, 4 to 6:30 PM for you to see how successful your child has been.