Positive Parent Conferences

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Positive Parent Conferences—

What does a good parent conference look like? Just like the students, we need to build a relationship with the parents so if we call home for support they will be more apt to give it to us. Keep notes. Share an experience about their student. Share student data. Positive first and then something the student needs to work on. Always have a plan of something they can help with to support at home what you are doing at school. If there is an issue that needs to be discussed, discuss it as a brainstorming session so a plan comes out of the meeting. And end with a positive note letting the students and parent know the students can do it. Let the parents know that you care and together you will both help their child succeed in school. Let the parents know you are partners in their student’s learning. Most parents know how their child is and if they need help. They are always comfortable enough to admit it or show it. Teachers are usually the bearer of bad news for parents. Keep conferences positive. Keep all your meetings with parents as positive as possible.

Quote I’m pondering —

The more relaxed you are the better you are. That's sort of why I got into acting. I realized the more fun I had, the better I did it. And I thought, that's a job I could be proud of. It's changed my life learning that, and it's made me better at what I do.

—Bill Murray

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Nov. 11-15 - SEP Week out at 1:15 pm Mon. Nov 11 - Veterans Day Mon. Nov 11 - PTA Meeting 12 pm	Mon Nov 18 - Community Council 12pm
	Nov. 26 - Reunification Drill Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Favorite Article This Week —

Students Sitting Around Too Much? Try Chat Stations.

This is an interesting idea. Give students a topic and have them talk about it. What a great way to get them talking about content in English and especially in Spanish where they need the practice talking with each other.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Fourth Grade. Seeing you work together on building your assessments in Schoology was amazing. I appreciate you asking if you can take a day to learn with each other and work on curriculum and assessments. It was a long day, but it was wonderful seeing the outcome of what you did. Thank you for all you do for your students. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Positive Parent Conferences

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Positive Parent Conferences—

What should a good parent conference look like at the beginning of the year? Just like the students, we need to build a relationship with the parents so if we call to get support from them they will be more apt to give it to us. Keep notes. Share an experience for the first week or two. Here are a few questions you might ask.

1. What do you see as your child's greatest strengths or skills? Tell me about a time when you saw your child demonstrating these skills.
2. What do you hope your child says about his/her experience in school this year?
3. What are your fears or concerns about your child in this year of school?
4. How and when would you like me to be in contact with you this year? What do you hope I'd communicate with you about?
5. Is there anything else you can tell me about your child that you think would help me support his/her learning?
6. Is there a question you hope I'll ask you about your child?

Let the parents know that you care and together you will both help their child succeed in school. Let the parents know you are a partner with them this year. If you want to talk with them about data, keep it to a minimum and have a plan of something they can help support at home what you are doing at school. Most parents know how their child is and if they need help. They are always comfortable enough to admit it or show it. Teachers are usually the bearer of bad news for parents. Keep this first conference positive. In fact, keep all your meetings with parents as positive as possible.

Quote I’m pondering —

You don't always need a plan.  Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what happens. -- Mandy Hale 

What’s Happening This Coming Week —

Monday, August 27 - ½ day for students. PLC Afternoon for Teachers. We will keep it short so you can work together with your teams on R4R and Math.

Wednesday, August 29 and Thursday, August 30 - SEP Conferences from 3:00 - 6:00.

Wednesday, August 29 - OEK Starts

Friday, August 31 - Assembly at 1:00 pm.  Reflections, Storytelling, and Bike Safety Month presentations.

Monday, Sept. 3 - Labor Day (No School)

Favorite Article This Week —

Students Sitting Around Too Much? Try Chat Stations.

This is an interesting idea. Give students a topic and have them talk about it. What a great way to get them talking about content in English and especially in Spanish where they need the practice talking with each other.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, teachers, for all your patience as we get 2nd and 3rd schedules taken care of. This has been a new idea for all of us and we appreciate everyone being flexible as we get the best possible plan for the students and teachers. We really appreciate all the hard work 2nd and 3rd grade teachers have put in to get this idea off the ground. They have each worked many hours getting this put together. The logistics of having the right students in the right places at the right times, as well as getting the teachers time to work together has been interesting. Thank you to the 2nd and 3rd grade teachers for all your hard work. Thank you to everyone else for being flexible. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.