Thursday, August 18, 2022
Subscriber Login
My Profile
SpotlightNews
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Food and Recipes
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Food and Recipes
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Spotlight News
No Result
View All Result
Home Capital District Family Now

LEARNING CENTER: Make your conference time count

Spotlight News by Spotlight News
November 8, 2020
in Capital District Family Now, Parent Pages
Reading Time: 3 mins read

By PATRICK MCNAMARA

Ready for another checkup?  Only this checkup isn’t at the doctor’s office, it’s at your child’s school: Parent-teacher conference time is almost here.

Did you know that parental involvement is a strong predictor of academic success? Teachers want you to attend conferences and be involved in your children’s school lives. This is an exciting opportunity for both you and the teacher.

To make the most of this opportunity, here are some important questions to consider asking during a parent-teacher conference.  Although not all of these questions will be applicable to every student, by coming to a conference with some specific questions, you will have a better experience and are more likely to better understand how your child is doing in school and the values and beliefs of your child’s teacher, both of which will be extremely valuable as the school year continues.

  • How do you prefer that we communicate with each other? (Email? Phone? Text? Notes?)
  • What do you expect from your students’ parents?
  • What do you see as my child’s strengths?
  • What do you think are academic challenges for my child?
  • What would you do if my child were struggling academically with something?
  • What should I do if I see that my child is struggling in your class?
  • Are you available for individual help apart from class?  When do you offer that, and how does my child access that help? What does it look like?
  • What opportunities do the students have to develop socially while learning remotely or in class?
  • How can I help support my child’s remote learning in our house?
  • Do you think my child is at performing at grade level for your class?  Have you seen anything that suggests to you that my child might be missing foundational skills that are required to succeed in your class?  If you don’t know now, when will you be able to answer that question?
  • (For math and reading teachers.) How do you handle standardized testing and prep for the State tests?
  • What are your homework expectations and policies and how my child is doing with homework?   How do you feel about us limiting homework time to __ minutes per evening?  Will our child’s grades be affected by homework not completed?
  • What can I do at home to support what you’re doing in the classroom?

Remember that teachers are people with many demands on them from students, principals and parents. Try to avoid (at least at first) being that parent teachers answer last. Posing questions in a positive manner will go a long way toward being seen as a partner, rather than yet another person who wants something from them.  Saying, “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today,” is a good way to start any conversation with a teacher.

Also, before you ask the teacher for help, be sure to tell the teacher what you’ve tried already. That will show the teacher that you see this problem as a joint problem, not just something you’ve dumped in their lap. Ultimately, you want to work with the teacher to find the best solution for your child.

Above all, remember to keep your conference friendly and positive.  Just like the adage says, you’ll catch more flies with honey than vinegar.  Be positive and solution-oriented.

You and your child’s teacher can be a strong team of support for your child. Make this checkup a helpful stepping-stone in a successful parent-school partnership.

Patrick McNamara is the owner and executive director at Sylvan Learning of Albany and Clifton Park. For more information, visit SylvanLearning.com. 

 

Tags: capital district family noweducationlearning centerparent teacher conference
ShareTweetShareShare
Previous Post

LEGAL BEAT: Can an IEP plan help your child?

Next Post

Two Albany County residents die of COVID

Leave Comment

Stay Connected with Us

Recent News

Guilderland Public Library news: Summer Reading coming to a wrap

August 18, 2022

Bethlehem Public Library news: Summer Reading wrap-up

August 18, 2022

RCS Community Library news: Take and Make Tuesday!

August 18, 2022
Phillip J. DiNovo outside the museum on Central Avenue
Photo by Gene Loparco

Five Questions: Philip J. DiNovo

August 18, 2022

Hot Stories This Week

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Man arrested in fatal DWAI crash in South Bethlehem

August 15, 2022
Streeks and Spencer

Two plead guilty to Colonie murder

August 15, 2022

Two new stores coming to Crossgates Mall are anticipated to provide shoppers with new styles

August 10, 2022
The new pickleball courts will be constructed where the tennis courts used to be at the Mohawk Park and Pool off Route 9. The Latham Lassies softball fields are to the left and the town pool complex is above.
Jim Franco / Spotlight News

More pickleball courts are coming to Colonie

August 10, 2022

Guilderland Public Library news: Summer Reading coming to a wrap

August 18, 2022

Bethlehem Public Library news: Summer Reading wrap-up

August 18, 2022

RCS Community Library news: Take and Make Tuesday!

August 18, 2022
Phillip J. DiNovo outside the museum on Central Avenue
Photo by Gene Loparco

Five Questions: Philip J. DiNovo

August 18, 2022
Spotlight News

Spotlight News, The Spot 518 and Capital District Family Now are divisions of Community Media Group, LLC. Our local offices are located at 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. You can contact us at 518.439.4949.

Browse

Follow Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact the Editor
  • Employment
  • Our Team
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2021 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Spotlight On Business
    • Spotlight on Finance
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
  • Hot Spots Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Log In
  • Classifieds
    • Advertiser Login
  • Service Directory

© 2021 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949