Otsego Elementary School Faculty Handbook - Half Hollow Hills
Otsego Elementary School Faculty Handbook - Half Hollow Hills
Otsego Elementary School Faculty Handbook - Half Hollow Hills
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PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES<br />
Parent-teacher conferences for all children are held at the end of the first marking<br />
period. In addition, occasions may arise during the school year that warrant<br />
additional conferences. The guidelines below may be helpful during these times.<br />
CONFERENCE PREPARATION:<br />
• Make a checklist of the important points that you want to emphasize during<br />
the conference. This will keep the conference moving forward in a timely<br />
manner and ensure that you cover all topics.<br />
• Prepare a folder of the student’s work to share with the parents. This folder<br />
should include samples of work in all subject areas from different points in the<br />
school year. This enables parents to see their child’s current ability level as<br />
well as the progress he/she has made.<br />
CONFERENCE TECHNIQUES:<br />
• Arrange a meeting place that is conducive to conversation, such as several<br />
chairs grouped together. Avoid putting a desk or a table, which may seem<br />
like a barricade, in between you and a parent.<br />
• Start the conference by thanking the parents for meeting with you and<br />
expressing your appreciation of their efforts.<br />
• Establish a rapport with the parent. Begin and end the conference with a<br />
positive comment about the child.<br />
• Be truthful, but sensitive, with your remarks. Remember that you are talking<br />
to a parent about their most precious possession, their child.<br />
• Do your best to avoid any arguments. Remember that cooperation between<br />
home and school will lead to the best possible learning situation for each<br />
child.<br />
• Be professional when talking about former teachers or other staff members.<br />
Your comments should reflect only positive things about others and the school<br />
in general.<br />
• Comments about other students or siblings should not be entertained. Avoid<br />
comparisons between the child and others.<br />
• Try not to overwhelm parents. Do not send them away with countless<br />
suggestions. Concentrate on one or two important things that you can work<br />
on together.<br />
• Summarize the points covered.<br />
• Make it clear that parent input and participation are valued and welcome. Let<br />
them know that you are available to confer with them at any time.
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