Comet Times
L.O. Donald Staff Newsletter
Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences
Have materials prepared for parents to take home with them.
Have pens and note paper for parents to take notes. If you are going to discuss report cards, make sure you have a copy of it to give the parents. If you are going to discuss test scores, make sure you put the scores in context to help parents understand the results. Most parents don't know the number of words a student should be reading per minute. Be sure they understand the goal and how they can help their child achieve it.
Be sure you have a system for taking notes during each conference.
It is too much to try to remember afterward which student needs to use the restroom every 2 hours or whose mom wants you to send home extra addition practice sheets. Make sure you have a way to make sure you keep your promises. Note requests that require a response or immediate action.
Have a “pre-conference” with your students.
Many of your students may feel anxious about you taking to their parents. Most kids have a general sense of how they are doing, so if you tell them you are going to discuss behavior, participation, attendance, and report card grades, they may have a valid reason to be anxious. Try to alleviate this anxiety by having a mini-conference with them beforehand focusing on their strengths.
Teaching is a partnership with parents.
Try to keep in mind that the main thing parents care about is that you care about their child and his or her education. Find a round table or a pair of desks to use and sit next to the parents. Avoid putting your desk between you and the parent. Give parents the option to write a positive note to their student to leave on their desk.
Always start off the conference with "What questions do you have for me?
Parents really appreciate starting the conference by opening up the floor to them. If a parent is coming in with a question or a concern, it's going to be the only thing on their mind regardless of what you have to say. Sometimes their concern is more worthy of your time together than discussing data.
Be positive. Focus on growth and pick your battles.
Parents need to leave feeling like this was a positive interaction, and if you spend your entire time telling them all of the negative things about their child, they won't remember the two positive things you said. So, choose carefully and express your concern as something you can handle by working together.
Figure out how you will end a conference in advance.
You want to give parents the full attention and that means you need to start and end on time. Consider saying something along the lines of..."I am so glad we were able to meet today, but there is another parent waiting. I know we still need to talk about XYZ, so when would be the best time to do that?"
Parent communication doesn't end when conferences do.
Let parents know that they can call or send an email anytime. This creates an open line of communication. When they do email or call you, do your best to respond within 24 hours.
Planning your conferences will help to insure they run successfully. We have much to celebrate as a campus and our students are making great progress mastering the required content and skills. Be sure to share the good news and recognize the contributions of our parents.
You ROCK!
-Kathryn
K-2 M-O-Y ISIP Testing Window 1/6-27/2016
Monday, January 11, 2016
- High School Parent Conference Night
- 3:15-4:30 Faculty Meeting - DISD Updates in library
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
- Middle School Parent Conference Night
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
- 12:10-12:55 Math Planning - 3rd grade
- 1:00-1:45 Math Planning - 4th grade
Thursday, January 14, 2016
- 8:50-9:40 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 2nd grade
- 9:45-10:35 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - Kindergarten
- 10:40-11:30 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 1st grade
- 12:05-12:55 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 3rd grade
- 1:00-1:50 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 4th grade
- 1:55-2:45 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 5th grade
- 4:00-8:00 Elementary Parent Conferences
Friday, January 15, 2016
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 1/18 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday - No School
- 1/19 - Prep U Parent Workshop: How to Help and Get Engaged in My Child's Education" at J.T. Brashear Elementary 9:30am
- 1/20 - Districtwide Principals' Meeting
Close Writing
Dallas ISD STEM Day
L.O. Donald 2015-16 Campus Priorities
- Improve academic achievement through data-driven and small group instruction.
- Build a strong, achievement-oriented campus culture.
- Improve parent involvement and school-community relationships.
L.O. Donald Elementary
Email: kacarter@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/donald
Location: 1218 Phinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75211
Phone: 972-794-5300
L.O. Donald 2015-16 Goals
- 80% of students will meet the passing standard on STAAR reading/math in grades 3-5.
- 70% of students will meet the passing standard on STAAR writing in grade 4.
- 85% of students will meet the passing standard on STAAR science in grade 5.
- 80% of students will perform on or above grade level on the Iowa/Logramos K-2