Making the Most of Parent Teacher Conferences

November 24 and 25 are our scheduled Parent Teacher Conferences. For many, it will be the first opportunity for you as parents to discuss your child’s academic and social development. We look at parent conferences not only as an opportunity to discuss your child, but also as an opportunity to nurture a positive partnership between home and school. 

Here are some tips provided by the National PTA that I thought might prove helpful in ensuring a successful conference:

Establish rapport—As an icebreaker, take time to share something that reflects well upon the teacher. For example, thank the teacher for having made thoughtful notes on your child's homework or for the special attention in helping your child learn to multiply.

Ask questions—Questions you ask during the conference can help you express your hopes for the student's success in class and for the teacher. It's a good idea to ask the important questions first, in case time runs out. The teacher's answers should help you both work together to help your child.

Make a list—Before you go to the meeting, make a list of topics to discuss with the teacher. Along with questions about academics and behavior, you may want to talk to the teacher about the child's home life, personality, concerns, habits and hobbies, and other topics that may help the teacher in working with the child.

Addressing problems—Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to discuss any difficulties (either academic or behavioral) a child might be having at school.

Develop an action plan—If the student needs help with a behavioral or an academic issue, you and the teacher should agree on a specific plan—that you both will work on—to help your child do better. Be sure you understand what the teacher suggests. If it's not clear, ask him or her to explain. Set up a way to check on your child's progress. You and the teacher can decide how best to stay in touch, such as through phone calls, notes, or additional meetings.

Ending the conference—End the conference by reviewing what you discussed and restating your action plan. This is also a good time to set up your next meeting if needed.

If you have further questions after your conference, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to sit with you to ensure everything is in place to make certain your child has a successful school year.

Using Technology in the Classrooms

Mrs. Gauzza's kindergarten classroom center time looks a little different on Tuesday mornings. 

During center time, the students still work with Mrs. Taylor, their Early Literacy teaching assistant, to master letters and sounds. They develop their fine motor skills during an independent work center, and read and write with Mrs. Gauzza. However, the students also rotate through a center with Instructional Technology Support Assistant Mrs. Gartner-Baca. 

"Mrs. G", as the kids call her, helps the students as they explore different educational apps on the iPads, especially one called Reading Eggs. Working in small groups with the children allows her to guide them through the lessons and activities as well as troubleshoot any issues as they come up. She has worked in each of the kindergarten classrooms this year and visits some routinely. Later in the school year, she will bring laptops into the rooms to introduce computers to the students. They will become familiar with using a mouse or a touchpad on a laptop, develop early typing skills, and basic webpage navigation. 

Later in the year, Mrs. G will visit classrooms in the first and second grades to help them use different technologies to research during the Winter Wonderland projects. In addition, she plans to go into second grade classrooms to give tips and tricks to students for using Microsoft Word.

Winter Weather is Here!

Though it is not yet Thanksgiving, as the storm that slammed the Buffalo area recently proved: winter weather is here. Please make sure that your child has appropriate clothing. Students not only walk to and from the bus, but also play outside for recess. We want to make sure they stay warm!

Important Dates to Remember

Monday, Nov. 24, Early Dismissal, 11:30 a.m. Parent Teacher Conferences (Elementary only)

Tuesday, Nov. 25, Early Dismissal, 11:30 a.m. Parent Teacher Conferences (Elementary only)

Wednesday, Nov.26 - Friday,  Nov. 28, No School Thanksgiving Recess

Thanks,

Lori