Parent-Teacher Conferences, Tuesday, 12/3, 4-6:30 PM
We are almost done with one-third of the school year; it is truly hard to believe. On Wednesday, December 4, our first Trimester will be over and you will receive your child’s 1st Trimester Report Card on Friday, December 13.
I always feel as though that is truly the first instance as to "school having officially begun." With that knowledge, we also have our Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, in the afternoon/evening, from 4-6:30 PM.
These conferences are only five minutes in duration and may not be enough time for a complete discussion regarding your child’s progress or lack of it. If you feel that more time is needed, use your appointment to reschedule a time that would offer both you and the teacher enough time to adequately discuss your child’s present situation. This will open the door and begin the communication that is necessary to bring all of us to the same page on your child’s educational growth. I will repeat something I mentioned from the progress reports, the marks that you have found on the report card should never be a surprise to either you or the student.
For those parents, who might be new to NMS, here is a description of how the evening works:
Parents come in at 4 PM. You go to the classrooms of your kids and there may be a sign-up sheet outside that door and/or chairs to line up and wait. There is also usually a Student Council student rep at each door to monitor time, etc.
The teacher will then meet with the parent for about a five minute time period, and the parent then moves on.
It is not perfect at all, but it does work, as I witnessed last year. There just isn't enough time to make it "perfect." I will say, though, that usually this second afternoon Parent-Teacher Conference time is very light, and if parents can make that time period, it would give you the greater chance to have more than a 5-minute block with teachers than the evening conferences were from November 20.
Sometimes, a parent will sign up for one teacher that they see if that teacher is busy, go around to other teachers and meet, and then come back to meet with that first teacher.
The Unified Arts teachers will be in their rooms and they are usually available throughout the time.
I will be available throughout the time period, outside my office, to meet with parents about the new schedule, DIAL, digits, and any other questions they may have. This is not a mandatory meeting; I just feel as though with all the changes which have occurred this year, parents might have some questions. So, I will park myself outside my office to meet with parents about any questions they may have throughout the conference time.
We will have the Book Fair in the Media Center and also PTA selling goods and raffles outside the main hallway. It is usually a very bustling evening for all.
Below I have attached an article by the NEA (National Education Association) which I feel can help with conferences; it is entitled, “How To Make Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child.” I have cut it down to just some helpful hints:
“You've been asked to attend a regularly scheduled ‘report card’ conference with your child's teacher. Teachers like to meet with parents from time to time to discuss how to help students do their best in school. All children learn in different ways. They have their own individual personalities and their own work habits. To help their students learn new knowledge and skills, teachers must know as much as they can about each child. No one knows more about and has more influence over your children than you. That's why teachers need your help to do a first-class job. Working together, you and the teacher can help your child have a successful school year.
Here are some things to keep in mind before the conference:
- Start the conference right: plan not to run over the amount of time that has been set aside.
- The best conferences are those in which both teachers and parents stay calm and try hard to work together for one purpose and one purpose only: to help your child do well. Arguing, or blaming each other for problems your child is having, helps no one.
For getting ready for the conference, each teacher will probably come prepared with knowledge or samples of your children’s work and with ideas to help them do even better in school. You should get ready for each conference, too. Talk to your children before the conference. Find out how and maybe why your child is doing well or not so. Also, ask your children if there is anything they would like you to talk about with their teachers.
Before you go to the school, write notes to yourself about:
- things about your child's home life you feel it’s important for the teacher to know
- questions about your child’s progress
- how you and the school can work together to help your child
During the conference, some good questions to ask are these:
- Is my child working up to his or her ability?
- Does my child participate in class discussions and activities?
- Has my child missed any assignments?
- Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child acts?
- What kinds of things should I do to help my child's progress (especially in terms of Homework, studying for tests/quizzes, writing assignments, etc.)?
It’s a good idea to ask your most important questions first, just in case time runs out before you and the teacher have a chance to discuss them all. Be sure to ask the teacher for specific suggestions on ways to help your child do better. This is the most important part of the meeting. It will become your action plan. If the teacher says something you don't quite understand, don't be shy about asking for an explanation. It's a good idea to end the conference by summing up decisions you've made together. If needed, ask to meet again.
After the conference, one should start immediately on the action plan you and the teacher worked out together. Discuss the plan with your child. Make sure he or she knows that you and the teacher care. To see if the action plan is working, watch your child's behavior and check your child's class work and homework. Stay in regular touch with the teacher to discuss the progress your child is making. Meeting with your child's teachers should help build strong parent-teacher partnerships—partnerships that are needed if you and your child's teachers are to reach your common goal of helping your child get the best education possible.” The National PTA, National Education Association of the United States
We hope to see as many of you as we can on Tuesday, December 3, from 4 to 6:30 PM.
Thank you,
