Parent-Teacher Conferences Keep You Informed

Be sure to take advantage of parent-teacher conferences in whatever format they occur so that you’re aware of any potential problems and important actions your student needs to take.

Why It Matters

Gain insight.
This is your chance to understand how your student’s teachers see performance, personality and other aspects of your student’s character. When your student enters high school, grades and motivation will be important factors in determining what will happen next.
Intervene early.
Your student’s teachers will be able to share how things are going so far. Is your student not feeling challenged enough or not connecting with the material? There is still time to consider alternatives or get extra help to end the semester on a good note.

What Your Student Can Do Now

Share own perspective.
If you or your student’s teachers have a concern, your student’s perspective on the issue will provide a more complete picture of what’s really happening.
Make a plan for the rest of the year.
Does your student need extra help with challenging math or reading assignments? Or maybe a deeper dive into a subject of particular interest would be useful.
Follow good habits.
Sleep and nutrition habits can greatly affect performance at school. Your student should be getting enough sleep every day and eating healthy food.

What Your Student Can Do Later

Follow up.
If concerns were discussed at the conference but are not addressed in a timely manner, your student can work with the teacher or school counselor to establish and follow through on an appropriate plan.
Continue to improve.
As benchmarks are reached, your student should consider additional room for improvement, whether that’s working to improve a grade, considering how to help other students or otherwise increasing productivity. New short-term and long-term goals can help keep your student motivated.

What You Can Do

Set a good example.
Demonstrate good work or study, sleeping and eating habits yourself. Make healthy meals a priority and encourage screen-free time for a good night’s sleep.
Recognize improvement.
Even if your student still needs a lot of improvement, watch for, recognize and reward the efforts your student makes throughout the year.
Utilize resources.
Your student may need your help to line up a tutor, find and register for summer camps, or facilitate meetings with teachers or administrators. (Did you know that employer-provided flexible spending accounts (FSA) dependent care funds can be used to help pay for many programs?)

Next Steps

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Additional references, handouts and talking points are available in the right sidebar to use at your leisure. They may prove beneficial to reference now or after receiving future emails – we’ll leave it completely up to you. Use our emails like a recipe for a successful outcome — assemble the recommended ingredients and then follow accompanying directions to add flavor and depth.