Burr Newsletter 10/22/2018
Dear Burr Families,
It has been so nice to check in with many of you during the grade level breakfasts these past weeks. We have our final two breakfasts for kindergarten and grade 5 this week. I realize that for many parents coming to morning school events is difficult and I thank you for making time to attend. I know that the children have really enjoyed starting the day with breakfast at school and socializing with their friends and family.
In the coming weeks we have two more social events planned by our PTO that I know will be wonderful for community building. On Saturday, October 27 we have the Burr Boo Fest and on November 16 we have a Diwali celebration. Be sure to check out the PTO website for more information and to sign up to help out. I look forward to enjoying these events with Burr families.
On November 16, we have a Parent Principal Coffee scheduled from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM. Morning coffee times with me are usually a drop-in time when parents can come and initiate a discussion about things that are important to them and/or get some answers to questions about the school. I am also happy to plan a presentation on a topic that is of interest to Burr families. Please feel free to email me any suggestions or requests to make this time most useful to you.
This week fall conferences will begin in all Newton Elementary Schools. Teachers are given three afternoons to meet with parents. This year, they are October 23, October 30, and November 1. Teachers also offer some additional times before and after school during this two-week time frame. I ask that parents make every effort to adjust their schedules to attend meetings during the offered times. Conferences are greatly valued by our teachers because they get to focus on each child’s individual strengths and goals. Below are some tips from the Harvard Family Research Project to help you get the most out of your parent-teacher conference.
Best,
Mindy Johal
Parent–Teacher Conferences: A Tip Sheet for Parents
Harvard Family Research Project
As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You and your child’s school have something in common: You both want your child to learn and do well. When parents and teachers talk to each other, each person can share important information about your child’s talents and needs. Each person can also learn something new about how to help your child. Parent–teacher conferences are a great way to start talking to your child’s teachers. This tip sheet suggests ways that you can make the most of parent-teacher conferences so that everyone wins, especially your child.
What should you expect?
A two-way conversation. Like all good conversations, parent–teacher conferences are best when both people talk and listen. The conference is a time for you to learn about your child’s progress in school: Ask to see data about your child’s attendance, grades, and test scores. Find out whether your child is meeting school expectations and academic standards. This is also a time for the teacher to learn about what your child is like at home. When you tell the teacher about your child’s skills, interests, needs, and dreams, the teacher can help your child more.
Emphasis on learning. Good parent–teacher conferences focus on how well the child is doing in school. They also talk about how the child can do even better. To get ready for the conversation, look at your child’s homework, tests, and notices before the conference. Be sure to bring a list of questions that you would like to ask the teacher.
Opportunities and challenges. Just like you, teachers want your child to succeed. You will probably hear positive feedback about your child’s progress and areas for improvement. Be prepared by thinking about your child’s strengths and challenges beforehand. Be ready to ask questions about ways you and the teacher can help your child with some of his or her challenges.
What should you talk to the teacher about?
It has been so nice to check in with many of you during the grade level breakfasts these past weeks. We have our final two breakfasts for kindergarten and grade 5 this week. I realize that for many parents coming to morning school events is difficult and I thank you for making time to attend. I know that the children have really enjoyed starting the day with breakfast at school and socializing with their friends and family.
In the coming weeks we have two more social events planned by our PTO that I know will be wonderful for community building. On Saturday, October 27 we have the Burr Boo Fest and on November 16 we have a Diwali celebration. Be sure to check out the PTO website for more information and to sign up to help out. I look forward to enjoying these events with Burr families.
On November 16, we have a Parent Principal Coffee scheduled from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM. Morning coffee times with me are usually a drop-in time when parents can come and initiate a discussion about things that are important to them and/or get some answers to questions about the school. I am also happy to plan a presentation on a topic that is of interest to Burr families. Please feel free to email me any suggestions or requests to make this time most useful to you.
This week fall conferences will begin in all Newton Elementary Schools. Teachers are given three afternoons to meet with parents. This year, they are October 23, October 30, and November 1. Teachers also offer some additional times before and after school during this two-week time frame. I ask that parents make every effort to adjust their schedules to attend meetings during the offered times. Conferences are greatly valued by our teachers because they get to focus on each child’s individual strengths and goals. Below are some tips from the Harvard Family Research Project to help you get the most out of your parent-teacher conference.
Best,
Mindy Johal
Parent–Teacher Conferences: A Tip Sheet for Parents
Harvard Family Research Project
As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You and your child’s school have something in common: You both want your child to learn and do well. When parents and teachers talk to each other, each person can share important information about your child’s talents and needs. Each person can also learn something new about how to help your child. Parent–teacher conferences are a great way to start talking to your child’s teachers. This tip sheet suggests ways that you can make the most of parent-teacher conferences so that everyone wins, especially your child.
What should you expect?
A two-way conversation. Like all good conversations, parent–teacher conferences are best when both people talk and listen. The conference is a time for you to learn about your child’s progress in school: Ask to see data about your child’s attendance, grades, and test scores. Find out whether your child is meeting school expectations and academic standards. This is also a time for the teacher to learn about what your child is like at home. When you tell the teacher about your child’s skills, interests, needs, and dreams, the teacher can help your child more.
Emphasis on learning. Good parent–teacher conferences focus on how well the child is doing in school. They also talk about how the child can do even better. To get ready for the conversation, look at your child’s homework, tests, and notices before the conference. Be sure to bring a list of questions that you would like to ask the teacher.
Opportunities and challenges. Just like you, teachers want your child to succeed. You will probably hear positive feedback about your child’s progress and areas for improvement. Be prepared by thinking about your child’s strengths and challenges beforehand. Be ready to ask questions about ways you and the teacher can help your child with some of his or her challenges.
What should you talk to the teacher about?
- Progress. Find out how your child is doing by asking questions like: Is my child performing at grade level? How is he or she doing compared to the rest of the class? What do you see as his or her strengths? How could he or she improve?
- Assignments and assessments. Ask to see examples of your child’s work. Ask how the teacher gives grades.
- Your thoughts about your child. Be sure to share your thoughts and feelings about your child. Tell the teacher what you think your child is good at. Explain what he or she needs more help with.
- Support learning at home. Ask what you can do at home to help your child learn. Ask if the teacher knows of other programs or services in the community that could also help your child.
- Support learning at school. Find out what services are available at the school to help your child. Ask how the teacher will both challenge your child and support your child when he or she needs it. How should you follow up?