Spring conferences are almost here and we want to be sure parents are aware of the unique elements associated with the 2021 spring conference schedule. First, please note that given the modifications made to this year's school calendar, both conference days (March 29th and March 30th) are half-days for all students. On each of these days, students will be dismissed at 12:00pm - teachers will be conferencing with families throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Friday, March 31st, is a non-student day.
Teachers at both Deer Park Elementary and Arcadia have reached out to families and are sharing information about how they can schedule a conference time. Both DPMS and DPHS are hosting student-led conferences and have shared information with families; this information is also posted on each building's website.
Finally, as a regular part of our parent/teacher conferences, teachers may ask you to participate in a short survey to gather feedback regarding the structure and value of conferences. We greatly appreciate your insight and look forward to using the information we collect to ensure conferences meet your needs and provide you with helpful information about your child's progress.
- Wednesday, March 29th, is a half-day. Students will be dismissed around 12:00. Conferences will occur throughout the afternoon and into the evening hours.
- Thursday, March 30th, is also a half-day for all students. Teachers will be engaged in parent/teacher conferences or in student-led conferences throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
- Friday, March 31st, is a non-student day, and the following week (April 3-7) is Spring Break.
Conferences are valuable for students, parents, and teachers:
For students, the parent-teacher conference provides an opportunity to reinforce positive attitudes and behavior. The facts are overwhelming: When parents demonstrate interest and are involved in their child's school experience, these students are far more likely to achieve at high levels. For teachers, conferences create a unique and personal opportunity to establish a positive partnership in the student's learning. Teachers often come away from conferences saying they learned a great deal by interacting with the child's parents.
For parents, conferences offer the opportunity to sit one to one with the teacher and talk about their child. Conferences help parents build a better understanding of what their child is expected to know and be able to do, as well as how their child is progressing socially. This is an important opportunity for parents to get a snapshot of their child as a learner and ask questions about how to help at home. If you have a serious concern about an area of academic growth, be sure to let the teacher know. Your child's teacher(s) will be happy to share strategies and ideas to increase your child's success and self-assurance.
Teachers put a great deal of work and time into preparation for these conferences. They are eager to help your child be the best he/she can be. Your support is vital in creating the best possible educational experience for your child.
In order to make your conference experience the best it can be, we've provided some questions you might want to ask. Additionally, we've also suggested some things you might want to tell the teacher about your child.
Things you may want to ask the teacher:
- How is my child doing academically?
- Does my child participate in classroom activities?
- Does he/she show self-control in school?
- Can my child work independently, or does he/she need supervision?
- How does my child get along with classmates?
- How is my child handling grade-level learning materials?
- Has my child shown any special interests or abilities?
- How can I help my child at home?
- Does my child express thoughts and ideas clearly?
- Does my child seem to be happy in school?
Things you may want to tell the teacher:
- Which school activities your child talks about most while at home.
- What responsibilities your child handles at home.
- If anything has happened lately at home that might affect your child's performance at school.
- Whether or not your child willingly communicates and completes homework assignments.
- What you believe are your child's strengths and weaknesses.