Report Card Conferences

I was looking forward to my son's first PT Conference since before kindergarten started - well, we had them in preschool, also, but this was a new school. I could not wait for that day! I was very eager to hear all about what his teacher was seeing, observing, noticing, etc. It's not just about academics. Academics are important, but that's a small part of kindergarten. Kindergarten is so much more about navigating the social relationships, understanding the expectations, getting used to all day school, etc. For most of the kids, this is a big, big adjustment. My oldest had done 2 years of preschool, but it was 2 mornings a week the first year and 3 mornings a week the second year. Kindergarten was a big deal.

Personally, I would not pass up this opportunity. My son's kindergarten teacher had lots of things to share with us. She talked about his friends, the things he liked to do, what his strengths were, things that he could work on, what they would be doing in the next few weeks, months, the goals for the rest of the year.

It's a very important conference.

I'd think it wasn't necessary but if you really want to have one the teacher will make time for you. It sounds like it's going to be a fun year.

It's always important to promote a good relationship with your child's teachers. Never unnecessary.

Get started now - take 15 minutes of your time to hear all the good reports. You'll be glad you did because you'll get to hear cute stories about your DD AND you'll be glad you did if it turns out there are any issues.

I'm the type of person who always wants to meet and hear the teacher's assessment of my child and to see more details as to how they decide he is proficient, yet not advanced or basic and not proficient. She might say something that i never thought of or causes a light bulb to go off. In Kinder my son on track and doing very well. She mentioned that he did not follow 2 step instructions. Sure enough I would test him and he never followed through. I would say could you go put this in the kitchen then bring me your journal. He would return from the kitchen and forget his journal.

Aw, I couldn't wait to hear about my little boy's progress in kindergarten! Words and letters on a page are nothing compared to the cute stories I heard about him from his teacher. They'll direct the time, and if you don't know what to talk about, at least ask about his day and how he's adjusting. Even if you think you know, you'll hear what a great kid you have or learn about problems you didn't expect. AND you're building a face to face relationship with his teacher! They see that you care about his schooling by making the time to come in, and you get to know that teacher a little better so you can talk with your child about school. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

A personal conference is a great thing to do. You can learn more about how your daughter is doing socially and academically. It is more personalized than an open house and gives you more information than what comes on a piece of paper. It is also just a great way for you to make another connection with the teacher. That is so important. As a teacher, I get frustrated when parents don't come to conferences, informational meetings, etc. (even if they are optional). It makes me question how involved the parent actually is in their student's education.

I would go. It gives you the opportunity to see what and how the children work in class. If you don't go, you may find yourself in the, "I was never informed" zone. It's only 15 minutes.

Even tho its " not necessary", why wouldn't you take advantage of the opportunity to chat with the teacher?

Teachers schedule these times for all parents who want to be involved. This 15 minutes can prove to be an invaluable part of your child's education.

I'm speaking from the educator point if view on this one as well as a parent.

I'd definitely go. You actually can learn a lot from a one-on-one conference that you wouldn't otherwise, including how the teacher actually feels about the students in general and your daughter in particular.

Hi,

This is from a teacher's point of view. Please go!

On my report cards we also had the line about "not necessary to meet". I checked that for parents that were scheduled for a full meeting just prior to, or just after, the days of the parent-teacher conferences.

I loved the contact with parents and learned as much as they did. You have the inside info on your child's perspective and personality. The teacher sees how this plays out in the classroom. Together you are your child's team. Please go.

We don't have parent teacher conferences, but we do have what are called triad conferences, or student led conferences. During our conference our child shows us what he has been working on that term by showing us the portfolio he has built for us, as well as any classroom projects. It is a very exciting time to for the kids as they really learn to take ownership of their work. During the conference we will chat with the teacher, but if we were to have concerns we would need to make an appointment for a private conference at another time. Anyway, the conferences are really important to the kids so I would never miss one.

The teacher would love to have just a few parents show up. She will have more time to get her room straight for the next day. She's stuck there for 2 hours.

But, as a mama I would not be one of the parents who was a no show.

Of course you should go. How else will you find out how she interacts with the teachers and how she is getting along with her peers? What skills she needs to work on, what skills she has mastered. What first graders perceive about school can differ radically from what the teacher sees and you need both perspectives. If she is 'doing fine' that could mean anything from she sits in the back without causing trouble to she is the brightest, most interested kid in the class and needs additional enrichment.

We have an option to "opt" out of our conferences as well. I am room mom and volunteer at least once a week in the classroom. I get a chance for periodic updates on my child weekly, if I asked. I can see where it may not be "necessary", but it's important. First your kiddo will love to know that you are going to talk to his teacher. For whatever reason, that is a big deal for them. Take time to look at some of his work that may be hanging in the classroom and not come home yet. Ask the teacher how he is doing socially, that is an important part of kindergarten. Ask if she has any concerns. And you may know how his grades are, but they often go over testing at this time too...testing for reading readiness or math skills, etc. Communication with teachers is important. If your schedule allows, take the 15 minutes and go.

That line exists for the use of the teacher, not the refusal of the parent.

If the teacher didn't check it, it means she wants to meet with you. That doesn't mean your daughter isn't doing well so don't worry. In elementary school it is customary for everyone to do the first P/T conference of the year regardless of how the child is doing. This gives you an opportunity to connect with the teacher in a way that you can't do at an Open House.

After this one, so long as your daughter continues to do well, the teacher will probably indicate a conference is not needed.

To be honest, your compliance in this matter may temporarily impact your reputation as a parent. In every school, there are parents that can't ever be bothered to attend and are really "not my job" about their kid's schooling. I'm not suggesting that this is you, just that refusing to go to the first Kindergarten conference will make the teacher wonder what to expect in the future.

Yes you go! Actually as a pare t you attend everything. Not going tells your child, you just are not interested.