It’s all about the Momentum now!!
We are past the 100th day and its going faster and faster every month! Sometimes our lives get so busy that we miss opportunities to connect – In the next couple of weeks you will be invited to our Spring Parent Teacher conferences. (Scheduled for March 13-15). I hope you will slow down and join us during that time.
We value that time with you and want to make sure it meets your needs. I know our teachers will be ready to share how your child is progressing but it is also important that you get an opportunity to ask questions too!
Prior to your parent teacher conference consider the following:
- Prepare questions in advance. What groups has my child been assigned to? Is my child finishing the work assigned in class? The most important question of all is “How can I help my child at home?”
- Let the teacher know if there is a particular topic you want to discuss. If you want to talk about your child’s progress in reading, let the teacher know. He’ll be able to have test scores, textbooks, and other material on hand to aid your discussion.
- Be specific. Bring with you any work that is of concern. Describe clearly any situations in the classroom that make your child uneasy. Ask the teacher to describe your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Ask to see your child’s work.
- Exchange information. Let the teacher know about any situation at home that may affect your child’s school work, such as a death in the family, a new baby, or a change in daycare arrangements.
- Take notes. Your conference may result in several actions for both you and the teacher. Taking notes will help you remember what was discussed and what was agreed upon.
- Start with a positive attitude. Don’t waste valuable conference time by focusing on the negative. You and the teacher are a team. Positive comments such as “How can we solve this problem working together?” will be the first step in coming up with good solutions.
- Support yourself. If you are not confident about your communications skills, bring someone to help. If your understanding of English worries you, request a translator.
- Discuss the whole child. Your child’s social and emotional development is as important as academic success. Include questions about her interaction with other children and willingness to participate in class discussions.
- Allow enough time. Take time to do the task well. That may mean freeing up your schedule by taking vacation time to attend the conference.
- Leave with a plan. The conference should end with a clear statement of what you will do and what the teacher will do. Schedule follow-up meetings or telephone calls if needed.
If you ever need to talk about a concern or need to connect with the Idlewild team, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact the main office and we will get something scheduled ASAP!
Sheri Warrick, Principal Idlewild Elementary