Make plans to attend parent-teacher conferences during week of Jan. 14

Parent-teacher conferences are slated for the week of Jan. 14 so that parents and guardians can discuss their child’s progress with teachers as we reach the halfway point of the 2018-2019 school year.

Conferences for high school students are Monday, Jan. 14; conferences for middle school students are Tuesday, Jan. 15; and conferences for elementary students are Thursday, Jan. 17. Parents are encouraged to check with their child’s school to learn specific times for the conferences.

By meeting with teachers, parents not only demonstrate that education is a priority, but they can also discuss their child’s progress and learn how to help their child succeed in school. Parents can also learn about resources to help monitor their child’s progress, attendance, and assignments using online tools.

Consider these tips to get the most from conferences:

1. Conferences are a good time for parents and teachers to work together to develop a plan of action to support students’ learning. This might take the form of an agreement where parents commit to what they will require at home and the teacher outlines projects, deadlines and what will be covered at school.
2. Working as a team, teachers and parents can ensure that students are learning what’s required at each grade level. This kind of cooperation is crucial as students prepare to take state-mandated exams. Many schools will provide before- and after-school tutoring in the weeks leading up to the tests. Ask about tutoring and whether other resources are available to help students outside of school hours.
3. Parents who can’t attend conferences on the designated day should know they can call the school to schedule a conference with their child’s teacher. And if meeting face to face is difficult, parents shouldn’t hesitate to ask teachers for other ways to receive updates on their student’s progress.