THANK YOU for all your hard work in preparing for parent-teacher conferences, it is important that we remember that each parent that enters our doors is sending their VERY BEST to school every day. They send their children to TJ and they are their inspiration, light, and heart...our students inspire their parents to do their very best every day. With that in mind, it is important that we portray an accurate picture of where their children are academically and what Thomas Jefferson is going to do to support their continued growth. With this in mind I share and ASCD article about Parent Teacher Conferences;
Making the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences offer great opportunities to deepen your working relationship with parents. As you highlight their child's strengths, discuss academic or social concerns, and share information about child development, parents come to see you as an ally and themselves as true partners in their child's education. A little thinking and planning will help you make the most of these great opportunities.
Tips for Success
Make an outline and gather materials. A plan for how you'll divide up the time will help you stay on track. Here's a general outline for a 30-minute conference:
- 5 minutes: Opening conversation
- 10 minutes: Report on academic progress and concerns
- 10 minutes: Report on social progress and concerns
- 5 minutes: Summing up
However, you may need to put your plan aside if a parent raises an urgent issue that you weren't expecting. Remember that you can always schedule another conference!
In addition to writing an outline, you'll want to make notes for topics you want to cover and have at hand student work, assessment results, information on child development, and anything else you want to share with parents.
Offer conversation starters. Put parents (and yourself) at ease with a question or two: "What did Sam like about school last year?," "What does Tina like to do at home?," or "What are some things you'd like her to accomplish this year?"
Invite parents to share their thoughts. As experts on their children, parents can share valuable insights. And they'll appreciate your respectful recognition of their role in helping their children.
Highlight the positives. Recognize a child's strengths before discussing her struggles. You'll give parents some perspective while encouraging them to work productively with you.
Address just one or two concerns. Listing too many problems can make parents (and their children) feel defeated. Mention that you'd like to help the student with several things, but for now you'd like to concentrate on just one or two.
Let parents know if you need thinking time. It's perfectly OK to tell parents you want to think through what they've said, observe their children for a bit, consult others, or read up on an issue they've raised.
Be Prepared for Surprises
Parents sometimes surprise us with negative or personal questions or comments: "My son's teacher bullied him all last year." "My daughter's lazy. She never tries at anything." "My husband doesn't care about Mark. He never comes to these conferences." "My wife's divorcing me. Things are falling apart."
What can you do in such an instance?
- Steer the conversation back to positives: "I'm sorry things didn't go well for Adam last year. But because our time is limited, I'd like to focus on what we can accomplish this year if we work together."
- Focus on the child: "You seem to be going through some tough stuff right now. I wonder if that's taking Jasmine's attention away from school. What do you think we might do to help her concentrate?"
- Listen with empathy: "That must be hard" or "You've been through a lot" can help parents feel heard without injecting your own opinion or advice.
- Offer to get help: "You seem to be wondering what to do next. Our school counselor may have some ideas for you."
Follow Up and Follow Through
After each parent-teacher conference, send a note thanking parents for sharing time with you. If you offered to find resources, gather information, and so forth, make sure you do so—and share the results with your parents.
Each parent-teacher conference can be a powerful occasion for meaningful communication with families. Thinking ahead and following some simple guidelines will help ensure that conferences are positive and productive for everyone.
As we approach Parent-Teacher Conferences it is important that we support one another and celebrate the successes our students and staff have made! If you would like me to be present at a conference please email Kristy and she will add the conference to my calendar.
Please share your conference schedule with Kristy via email or hard copy
Humbly,
Kirsten
Thank you for spending your time engaged in professional development on Thursday and Friday. I would like to also thank you for the open and transparent conversation that occurred on Friday afternoon. Together we grow an I will be reaching out to grade-level leads for further collaboration and insight.
Reduce stress and leave lunch at home and take a moment to breathe!
Our amazing PTC will be providing lunch on Wednesday...leave your lunch at home and take a moment to be spoiled!
MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE
Kinder and 2nd Grade
Thank you for completing your i-Ready Instructions Google Sheet. Seats will be assigned by the end of the day Monday, this will enable you to share that students have been assigned to i-Ready at parent-teacher conferences. Please see the parent Resouces below:
An additional email will for sent to grades 2-5 this week with further details about this intervention.
If you are able to join our Stars and skate your heart out...we would love to see you!!!
Thomas Jefferson Elementary
It’s a Sports Skate Night
It’s a Sports Skate Night
Come skate with your friends and support our school!!!
Monday, November 4th, 6pm-8pm
Roller King Skating Center - 889 Riverside Avenue, Roseville Ca
Admission & Regular Skate Rental is $7 at the door (includes rental if needed)
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