Mark Your Calendar!

Parent Teacher conferences are being held two weeks earlier than in previous years. This year, conferences will be Oct. 10-11. The change was made so students, parents and teachers have time to make any adjustments prior to the end of the grading period a few weeks later. This includes providing extra time to turn in assignments or receive teacher assistance. The goal is to provide students with the best opportunities for success before final grades are determined. Please check the information below for more details.

Information Sheet for Parents

During the 2022-23 school year, the district calendar committee examined an alternative to Parent Teacher conferences. It was decided the new dates will be October 10 and 11th. The district compiled a small group of principals, administrators and teachers to draft a guidance document to support this change. Furthermore, parents and school staff will receive a survey upon completion of Parent Teacher Conferences to gather feedback for the calendar committee on future dates.

Before the Conference

  • Schedule a time to meet. If you can’t go at the scheduled time, or if you need more time, ask the teacher about other times that you can get together.

  • If you need an interpreter, please notify the school in advance.

  • Tell your child that you and the teacher are meeting to help him or her and ask your child how he or she feels about school and if they have any questions.

  • Prepare a list of 2-3 things you want to share with the teacher and 2-3 questions to ask during the conference.

  • Review your child’s schoolwork, grades, and progress reports, and talk with your child about progress.

  • Visit Infinite Campus Parent Portal to review your student’s grades online and encourage your student to do the same. If you need assistance with Infinite Campus Parent Portal, please contact your school.

  • If your child has a 504 Plan or IEP, please review and bring a copy to the conference.

  • Include your student in the conference if possible.

  • Consider ways you would like to be involved in your child’s learning by volunteering or supplement the instruction being done at school with home activities.

During the Conference

  • Be on time or early for the conference. End the meeting on time. Other parents probably have a conference after yours.

  • Relax and be yourself.

  • Take notes and listen to what the teacher has to say and ask the most important questions first.

  • If your child receives special services, ask about your child’s progress in those classes or if the special services case manager can be in the meeting.

After the Conference

  • Review your notes.

  • Talk about the conference with your child. Discuss the positive points, and the challenges.

  • Tell your child about any plans you and the teacher created.

  • Continue to review your child’s schoolwork, grades, and progress reports.

  • Promote daily leisure reading at home.

  • Keep in touch with the teacher during the school year.

Sample Questions

Elementary School

  • Is my child reading at grade level?

  • Can you show me books that are the right level of difficulty for my child, and recommend books that he/she may enjoy?

  • How much time each school day does my child spend working on each subject?

  • How much time should he or she spend working outside of school?

  • My child is struggling to keep up. What support can you offer to make sure he/she does not fall behind?

  • What things do you have my child doing to improve performance?

  • How is my child’s behavior in class and less structured settings?

  • What can I do at home to help my child do better in school?

  • My child is doing well in school. What enrichment can be provided to ensure his/her growth?

Middle School

  • How is my child doing in Math and English?

  • If my child is advanced Math and/or English course, what opportunities do they have to accelerate?

  • What subjects does my child enjoy most? How can we build upon those strengths?

  • What courses will help my child be prepared for high school?

  • If my child is struggling academically, what support do you offer to make sure he/she does not fall behind?

  • Does my child regularly complete assigned homework?

  • Is my child’s behavior appropriate for your classroom environment?

  • What after-school programs are available for my child?

High School

  • Do you have a course syllabus with the course objectives or standards? How do these objectives lead to the overall goal for the course or grade?

  • What are the requirements for excelling in your class, and how do you assess students’ work?

  • Can you show me examples of student work that meets the class requirements?

  • What support does your class provide my child if they are struggling?

  • My child would benefit from taking more challenging courses like AP, Dual or Concurrent Enrollment, or IB. What courses will help my child be prepared for these and any pathways to college, the military, or the workplace?

  • What extra-curricular activities, such as clubs or sports are available for my child to participate?

  • What resources and supports are available to help my child apply to colleges?

  • What is the Hathaway Scholarship and how do I get more information about it?