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!

Report Cards!

It's about that time again here in Phoenix! The time for report cards! Report card day is often one of the school year’s most stressful times for parents and students. But it doesn't need to be! Parents you can take simple steps to eliminate report card surprises and set the stage for your child’s year-round academic success.

We have this GREAT tool for your use...“You and Your Child’s Report Card,” available at http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/report-card-guide.cfm, This guide gives you several tips and suggestions to turn report card day into a day of achievement and celebration. And who doesn't want to celebrate a great report card?

It’s common for children to feel anxious about bringing home their report cards. But you can help relieve this anxiety by frequently talking about school and discussing how your child is doing in each subject.

Report cards enable you to assess your child’s academic progress and assess any strengths and weaknesses. They also provide you with an opportunity for further insight into your child’s progress in school.

When report cards come home, discuss your child’s progress and any changes from previous terms. A report card is a communication tool and a reminder for you to stay involved in your child’s education. If you are lucky enough to be at a school that provides parents with an online portal (like PogB or Powerschool), it can help you to stay on top of things by checking grades with your child weekly.

Just some tips for eliminating the anxiety and making report card time easy:

Maintain open lines of communication
Set goals with your child
Organize your child’s academics
Regularly track progress
Identify trouble spots
Get to know your child’s teacher
Celebrate successes

If you still need some help, please feel free to call us and discuss your student's progress report or report card. And remember, if you bring that report card to Sylvan, you receive 1/2 off your testing! What a great way to let us help you start celebrating those report cards instead of dreading them!