Zitzman Elementary
411- Week of March 13, 2017
Tips for Productive Parent Conferences--Scholastic; Shoshana Wolfe
- Organize your notes into simple categories. Include only the most vital and relevant standards in each curriculum area and the simplest and most useful of ratings categories — for example, Areas of Strength, Areas of Concern, and Goals. Using the grade card as a quick reference sheet to identify strengths and and areas of growth.
- Ask your students how they think they're doing. Although as the teacher you have a broad and sophisticated perspective on student progress, asking students to reflect on their own work can be very useful---Assessment Capable Learners. They are very likely to provide additional insights into areas of growth or challenge, or draw your attention to something you've missed.
- Be prepared with samples of student work. Parents should leave a conference with a clear idea and concrete examples of what's going well and what areas need work.
- Always begin with what the child does well. Without exception, human beings are more receptive to constructive criticism — even bad news — when our hard work, honest attempts, and natural talents are noticed and remarked upon. Parents identify with their children and, in many cases, experienced similar academic or social circumstances themselves when they were young. It's vitally important to them that you see their children as individuals and that you like them.
- Only say what you know. Don't feel you have to report on every area of the curriculum. If a parent is disrespectful or unpleasant, don't feel you have to defend yourself. Maintain your composure by acknowledging the comment without engaging the parent unnecessarily. "Hmm. You find the homework is too easy. I'll make a note of that. Can you give me a brief example of what you mean?" Write the feedback on your notes, and then immediately regain control of the conference by returning to your agenda and your prepared materials.
- Avoid jargon. Using overwrought professional vocabulary or this month's educational buzzword actually makes your dialogue with parents less substantial. Instead of using catchphrases or technical terms, describe what you mean or demonstrate it with examples or concrete materials. For instance, instead of using the term "miscue" when discussing a student's reading, try "When reading aloud, Irene frequently substitutes one work for another similar-looking word. For example, on this page, she read ‘understandable' instead of ‘unmanageable.'" Make your written reports concise and jargon-free as well.
- Anticipate frequently asked questions. For new teachers, as well as teachers who are new to a school or to a grade level, it's helpful to consult more experienced teachers to find out what parents typically ask about. Frequently, parents at particular grade levels may be preoccupied with testing, progress in reading, the transition to middle school, and other matters. While you don't want these concerns to overwhelm your agenda, you should be prepared to respond to them.
**Mr. Orris will be attending Monday's conferences. Contact the office if you need an administrator at a conference.
Recess
- Each class is expected to put all equipment in the ball cart before leaving the playground.
- The last grade level at recess in the afternoon is responsible for making sure all equipment is put in the cart and the cart is put inside the gym doors. This is a great job for Character Coaches.
- Teachers need to be on time to pick up their class.
- Proximity is key when supervising recess. One person on the black top and one person near the field.
- Kindergarten students sent in from lunch recess should be sent through the fourth grade doors. Do not send them back to the cafeteria doors.
Technology Committee Update- Mrs. Weil
Classroom Technology Teacher Survey- In order to make informed decisions we need a district-wide survey on how technology is being used in the classroom- are you using it and how, topics: audio, display technology,
Move to Chromeboxes only at elementary? Is there still a need for desk-tops in the classroom and labs, or would Chromeboxes work instead? Primary log-in was a concern, but you could use a generic log-in for the classroom.
Share your suggestions with Mrs. Weil and complete the technology survey.
UPCOMING EVENTS
3/14 5th Grade Band Recruitment @ PHS- 9:15 a.m.
Administrators in Jefferson City- Ms. Gaehle will be subbing
PTO Meeting @ 6 p.m.
3/15 Spring Pictures
PTC- Taco Bar Dinner
School Board Meeting 7:30 p.m.
3/16 Intruder Drill 10 a.m.
Third Quarter Big Chief Assembly at 2:30 p.m.
3/17 No School
CELEBRATIONS
- Leader in Me Grant sponsored by Franklin County Resource Board- $41,500
- 7 Zitzman teachers nominated for Teacher of the Year
Standard 2.2 Lesson Plan Design & 7.2 Student Assessment
- Tenured staff should email me your MOY Growth Plan Data