Paradise Valley Parent Teacher Conferences This Week

All this week, parents in the Paradise Valley school district will be meeting with their child's teachers to review what is happening in the classroom.

Parent/teacher conferences are an excellent opportunity to gauge your child’s academic progress and create an ongoing dialogue with your child’s teacher.

In preparation for the meeting, ask your child if there are topics he/she would like discussed with his/her teacher. Jot down some notes to yourself regarding anything you would like to know about your child's performance in class, and what you should expect for the rest of the school year.

Some helpful questions to ask include:
-- Is all of my child's homework turned in?
-- What is the quality of the work?
-- Has my child mastered the skills you would expect by this time in the school year?
-- Is my child working up to his/her ability?
-- What can I do at home to improve my child's learning in the classroom?

During the conference, it is important to be respectful of the teacher’s time and arrive promptly. Conferences are always more productive if the conversation remains positive. Listen to the teacher's comments and be open to feedback and suggestions for your child. Be sure that you ask your most important questions first so you are sure to have your answers in case time runs short.

Don't forget to ask the teacher for specific suggestions on ways to help your child reach his/her potential. This is the most important part of the meeting. Don't be shy! if the teacher says something that you don't understand, ask for clarification. This is your child and your time, you don't want to miss anything.

End the meeting by reiterating the actions that will be taken by the teacher or you; then create an action plan and work with your child to implement it. Set goals and make it fun!

Communication is key for success in the classroom. If you have questions for your teacher, contact the teacher immediately, don't wait until it's too late to help your child meet success. Find out if your child needs a tutor and act on it, don't think the problem will magically correct itself. The curriculum moves forward with or without your child. Don't let the gap get too big!