PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

The first parent teacher conferences of the 2008-2009 school year will be held September 23 and 25.  These meetings give parents and teachers an important opportunity to discuss ways to help the students do their best in school.  Listed below are a few tips from the National Education Association to make sure each parent teacher conference is a success.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• Start the conference right: be there on time and plan not to run over the allotted time that has been set aside.

• If you are a working parent who can't arrange to meet during regular hours, make that clear to the teacher and try to set up a time to meet that is good for both of you.

• The best conferences are those in which both teachers and parents stay calm and work together to help the child succeed.  Arguing or blaming each other for problems the child is having helps no one.  

GETTING READY

    Before you go to the school, write notes to yourself about:

• Things about your child's life at home, personality, problems, habits and anything else you feel is important for the teacher to know.

• Your concerns about the school's programs or policies.

• Questions about your child's progress.

• How you and the school can work together to help your child.

THE CONFERENCE

    Some good questions to ask are these:

• Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why?

• How well does my child get along with others?

• What are my child's best and worst subjects?

• Is my child working up to his or her ability?

• Does my child participate in class discussions or activities?

• Has my child missed any classes other than ones I contacted the school about?

• Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child acts?  For example, have you noticed any squinting, tiredness or moodiness that might be a sign of physical problems?

• What kind of tests are being done?  What do the tests tell about my child?

• How does my child handle taking tests?

It's a good idea to ask your most important questions first, just in case time runs out.  Be sure to ask the teacher for suggestions on ways to help your child do better.  This is the most important part of the meeting.  If the teacher says something you don't understand, don't be shy about asking for an explanation.  It's a good idea to end each conference by summing up decisions you've made together.

AFTER THE CONFERENCE

Start immediately on the action plan you and the teacher worked out together.  Discuss the plan with your child.  Make sure he or she knows that you and the teacher care.  To make sure the action plan is working, watch your child's behavior and check your child's class work.  It's also a good idea to stay in regular touch with the teacher to discuss the progress your child is making.