I am sure you all are very aware of how important a collaborative relationship between all stakeholders is in helping a student achieve their personal best in school. A colleague of mine would always shout "it takes
TEAMWORK to make the
DREAM WORK" when we were frantically preparing for a parent event. Although we sometimes did not get the turnout we wanted or we had to spend countless hours preparing for the event, we knew that whomever did turnout was worth the time and effort. We also knew that we'd never get the hours back but it would pay off in the future.
We are getting ready to host our formal first parent conferences, of this school year, and I know that you all have worked hard to prepare for them. I wanted to just remind you of the importance of these sessions and also give you a few reminders/hints for a successful conference.
A Harvard study shared a simple acronym to help teachers and parents plan for conferences:
“BE HEARD”-
Best intentions assumed;
Emphasis on learning;
Home–school collaboration;
Examples and evidence;
Active listening;
Respect for all; and
Dedication to follow-up
The study also shared the following:
Approaching Parent–Teacher Conferences
• A two-way conversation. The parent–teacher
conference is not only an opportunity for
parents to learn from you, but for you to learn
from them. Nobody knows your students
better than their families. Their insights into
their child’s strengths and needs, learning
styles, and non school learning opportunities
can help you improve your instructional
methods. Your efforts to better understand
their aspirations and perspectives make
parents feel respected and build trust with
them.
• Emphasis on learning. You can make the
most of parent–teacher conferences, and other
forms of family involvement, by “linking them
to learning.” This means bringing events and
communication back to a discussion of
strategies to support student learning. You can
arm parents with knowledge and suggestions
for how to help their children learn.
• Opportunities and challenges. We all need
praise and constructive criticism to grow. All
parents are proud of their children and need
to hear about their strengths as well as their
challenges from you. This helps show parents
that you value the unique strengths of their
children and have high expectations for their
ability to succeed in school and in life.
MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.hfrp.org/var/hfrp/storage/fckeditor/File/Parent-Teacher-ConferenceTipSheet-100610.pdf
And, one more thing...
Here's a video about conferences. It is directed towards new teachers but it is always nice to review these vital strategies.
I am here for you if you're worried or concerned about any of your conferences. Please come see me if you need suggestions or need me to sit in!
Have an AWESOME week!- Angela
Week of December 7-11
Monday, December 7
- GRADES DUE AT 8:00 AM
- 1st Grade PLC
- Pep Rally at 2:30 in the lobby (students need to be packed and ready to go home)
- SIT Mtg at 3:30
Tuesday, December 8
- Differentiation PD Surveys Due By End of School Day
- 3rd grade music assembly at 9:00; 4th-6th at 9:30
- Arts PLC at 10
- 5th and 6th grade PLC at 12:30
- SST Mtg at 3:30
- Reading 3D Mtg at 3:30
Wednesday, December 9
- 3rd grade PLC at 1:45
- Conference Schedules Due to Hill by 3:30
Thursday, December 10 (early release)
- revised schedule attached to email
- Parent Conferences from 12:30-5:30
- NO RtI nor Arts Classes
- K Awards at 8:00
- 1st and 2nd Awards at 10:30
Friday, December 11 (early release)
- revised schedule attached to email
- Parent Conferences from 12:30-5:30
- NO RtI nor Arts Classes
- 3rd Awards at 8:00
- 4th, 5th, and 6th Awards at 10:30
REMINDERS
- RSVP for Holiday Party ASAP
- Take time for you and try to relax
- Our new 4th grade teacher Ms. Gibson begins tomorrow! Please stop by and welcome her!
- K teachers need cereal boxes- lets help them out
- We need help getting gratitude cards out...please see Mrs. Lamb if you can drop one off at a local business.
- Y'all are AWESOME!!!!!
