Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences
This Monday, the school opened up the scheduling portal for parents to schedule conferences with teachers. This year, because we started school a week earlier, conferences also happen earlier in the calendar year, specifically on Thursday, October 1, and Friday, October 2. In some cases, some teachers will also have availability on Wednesday afternoon, September 30. We hope parents will sign up through this link: instructions on registering for conferences
As I noted in another communication this week, we can accommodate Seniors and their parents this year, if families feel that would be beneficial. In previous years, conferences coincided with College Preparation Week, and we asked those families to conference only if there were particular concerns; we wanted Seniors to use the time to visit colleges or prepare their applications. This year, that same conflict does not exist.
I'd like to emphasize that we call these Parent/Teacher/Student conferences because we do expect students to attend. Several years ago, we shifted our philosophy on whether students should attend these conferences. There was a time we said they shouldn't attend unless invited. Since then our position on that has evolved, as we realized that we really needed to have the conversation about the student with the student. The student is the one who needs to internalize the information and, if necessary, take action and be responsible, not the adults. Of course, we are all here to support, and guide, and offer wisdom, but ultimately the student must be the most motivated. It's all part of our strategy of "creating curious, kind, courageous, and adventurous learners and leaders" as we say in our mission statement. If a parent does want to have a private conversation with a teacher without their son or daughter present, we can make time for that, either that same day, or through a separate phone call.
Like so many things this year, conferences will have a different feel. Rather than meeting in person, we will all be meeting up over Zoom. Not a bad option, but not ideal either. Just one of the many compromises we must make in the time of a pandemic. But we promise to be as personal and interactive as we can be.
What should parents expect from an effective conference? James Paterson, writing for the National Association of Independent Schools, noted that "Teachers need [to share] more than grades; they need to share impressions on students’ engagement levels, social skills, and learning styles." He also emphasized that conferences should be a place where "Parents can express concerns, teachers can reflect on what they see, and the student can thoughtfully discuss his or her progress and struggles." We agree and hope that all of these goals can be met in the time we have together.
Occasionally, some conferences become an occasion for disagreement or conflict. I have found that the basis of these more contentious conferences is most often communication (or perceived lack thereof), or a sense that one or more adults in the room is not working in the best interest of the child. However, even these tougher moments provide us with a good opportunity to work through challenging issues together; no one ever claimed raising adolescents or actually being a teenager is easy. In these cases, we also hope parents will see these conferences as one part of an ongoing dialogue, not the one and only chance to talk to the teacher. The grade-level dean, one of our counselors, or I can also be available as part of any follow-up that needs to occur.
In order to accommodate conferences, there will be no regular classes on Wednesday, September 30-Friday, October 2.
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As I noted in another communication this week, we can accommodate Seniors and their parents this year, if families feel that would be beneficial. In previous years, conferences coincided with College Preparation Week, and we asked those families to conference only if there were particular concerns; we wanted Seniors to use the time to visit colleges or prepare their applications. This year, that same conflict does not exist.
I'd like to emphasize that we call these Parent/Teacher/Student conferences because we do expect students to attend. Several years ago, we shifted our philosophy on whether students should attend these conferences. There was a time we said they shouldn't attend unless invited. Since then our position on that has evolved, as we realized that we really needed to have the conversation about the student with the student. The student is the one who needs to internalize the information and, if necessary, take action and be responsible, not the adults. Of course, we are all here to support, and guide, and offer wisdom, but ultimately the student must be the most motivated. It's all part of our strategy of "creating curious, kind, courageous, and adventurous learners and leaders" as we say in our mission statement. If a parent does want to have a private conversation with a teacher without their son or daughter present, we can make time for that, either that same day, or through a separate phone call.
Like so many things this year, conferences will have a different feel. Rather than meeting in person, we will all be meeting up over Zoom. Not a bad option, but not ideal either. Just one of the many compromises we must make in the time of a pandemic. But we promise to be as personal and interactive as we can be.
What should parents expect from an effective conference? James Paterson, writing for the National Association of Independent Schools, noted that "Teachers need [to share] more than grades; they need to share impressions on students’ engagement levels, social skills, and learning styles." He also emphasized that conferences should be a place where "Parents can express concerns, teachers can reflect on what they see, and the student can thoughtfully discuss his or her progress and struggles." We agree and hope that all of these goals can be met in the time we have together.
Occasionally, some conferences become an occasion for disagreement or conflict. I have found that the basis of these more contentious conferences is most often communication (or perceived lack thereof), or a sense that one or more adults in the room is not working in the best interest of the child. However, even these tougher moments provide us with a good opportunity to work through challenging issues together; no one ever claimed raising adolescents or actually being a teenager is easy. In these cases, we also hope parents will see these conferences as one part of an ongoing dialogue, not the one and only chance to talk to the teacher. The grade-level dean, one of our counselors, or I can also be available as part of any follow-up that needs to occur.
In order to accommodate conferences, there will be no regular classes on Wednesday, September 30-Friday, October 2.
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