Please be watching for correspondence from your child’s teacher regarding the upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 17, 2006.  Your prompt attention and response will assist the teacher with planning the afternoon and scheduling appointments with each child’s parents.  School will dismiss at 12:30 and the elementary school conferences will be held in 15 minute sessions from 1:00-6:00 PM.   I kindly request that if more time is needed that you schedule a time to meet with the teacher later in the week during the teacher’s conference or other time determined by you and the teacher.

The conference will provide a great opportunity for you and the teacher to learn more about your child.  The key to a successful conference is communication and the exchange of information.  Before you attend the conference, spend a few minutes talking with your child.  You might ask what your child would like you to ask or discuss with the teacher.  Then after the conference with the teacher, share what was discussed with your child.

You may also think about what you wish to discuss with your child’s teacher in advance.  How is my child doing with homework/classwork?  Does my child make good use of school time?  Does my child demonstrate responsibility and cooperate with others?  Is there something I can do at home to help my child be more successful at school? 

You might also plan to discuss things you know about your child that will help the teacher—such as hobbies/interests and especially any medical or health needs.  You might inquire about the reading and math skills of your child and request additional assistance or instruction if needed.

Teachers will enter into the meeting expecting to discuss several things, too.  She may want to share some recently conducted assessment results and may show you some of your child’s work products.  She will most likely want to discuss grades and how your child is doing in the grade or subject area.  She may have also altered grading or classroom procedures and that may be part of the discussion.  In grades 3 & 4, upcoming TAKS assessments your child will take might be discussed.