As we end the first trimester of the 2008-09 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to share some information about your child's report card and up coming parent-teacher conferences. The purpose of the report card is to provide you with information about your child's performance. The parent-teacher conference is an opportunity for the teacher to elaborate on that information and for you to share your insights and ask any questions that you may have.
Since these conferences are brief, preparation may reduce anxiety and make the experience more rewarding. Here are some guidelines that you might find useful:
Before the Conference - Ask your child if he or she has any concerns that he/she would like you to communicate to the teacher. Review the report card and jot down notes if there is anything you do not understand or find confusing. You might also want to prepare a list of questions about your child's behavior and progress. Here are some possible examples:
- How well does my child get along with others?
- What are my child's strengths and weaknesses?
- Is my child working up to his/her ability?
- Does my child participate in class discussions?
- Is he/she able to settle conflicts verbally?
- Is he/she a leader, follower or combination?
During the Conference - Ask the teacher your questions beginning with those that are most important to you, just in case time runs out before you can ask them all. Be sure to ask for specific suggestions for ways to help your child do better. If anything is said that you do not understand, do not be shy and ask for clarification. It is always helpful to conclude by summarizing what was discussed.
After the Conference - Discuss the conference with your child when you get home. Share the positives first and be specific. If there are areas of concern, share the strategies for improvement you discussed with the teacher and see if the child has any input. It is also important for the child to know that both the parent and teacher are committed to helping him/her improve.
Remember, our goal, like yours is to ensure that your child gets the best possible education. These meetings will help to build strong home-school partnerships that are essential in reaching our goal.
