Parents' Guide to Parent-Teacher Conferences
We are excited to invite you to our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences, an opportunity for us to partner together in supporting your students’ academic success.
This evening is designed to provide you with a quick, focused conference with your students’ teachers.
Conference Logistics
- Date: Thursday, November 5th
- Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: Alumni Hall
Dinner Option: We understand that conferences take place during dinner hours for many families. We have arranged for a food vendor to be present, and food will be available for purchase if you wish. Cali Craving Food Truck will offer 3 different meals: cheeseburger, chicken burger, and veggie burger, all served with fries.
Parents' Guide to Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and build a strong, collaborative relationship. Our goal is to work together as a team to support your child’s learning, well-being, and growth. Because individual conference check-ins are brief, keeping conversations focused and constructive ensures we make the most of our shared time.
Here is a list of best practices before and after Parent-Teacher Conferences:
1. Before the Conference
- Talk with Your Child: Ask them if there is anything specific they would like you to ask their teacher.
- Confirm your student's teacher's name: Please review your student’s schedule ahead of time and familiarize yourself with their teachers’ names. This will help you know which teachers to connect with when you arrive and allow you to share any questions or concerns in person.
- Review Recent Progress: Take a look at recent assignments in your Canvas Observer account & grades in your Aeries Parent Portal so you have a good sense of how your child is performing.
- Write Down 1 - 2 Key Questions: Write down your top priorities or questions in advance to keep the conversation focused on what matters most to you.
2. During the Conference
- Brief & Focused Conversations: To allow time to connect with all families, initial conference check-ins are scheduled for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Focus on Highlights & Key Goals: Teachers will share quick highlights of your child’s strengths, academic progress, and key areas for focus.
- Scheduling Dedicated Follow-Up Meetings: If you or the teacher feel that your child’s progress, support needs, or questions require a deeper discussion, please don't worry! You can schedule a separate, dedicated parent-teacher meeting for a longer conversation at another time.
3. After the Conference
- Share Key Insights with Your Child: Talk with your child about the positive feedback and any goals agreed upon with the teacher.
- Follow Up on Next Steps: If a follow-up meeting or additional resources are discussed, check your email or phone messages for the next steps.
- Stay in Touch: Keep the lines of communication open throughout the school year. You don't have to wait for conference night if you ever have questions or concerns about your child's progress you can email them (Staff Directory). Early intervention goes a long way in ensuring there is a plan for success.