Using conferences to help your child

During your conference, be ready to listen and to ask questions, be honest about what’s on your mind, and think of the conference as a chance to let the teacher know you are all part of a team working for your child’s education.

Here are some questions you might want to ask during the conference, depending on your child's grade:

• What subject does my child seem to like most? Least?
• What can I do to help my child with subjects he/she finds most difficult?
• What can I do to help my child study? Prepare for class? Improve her/his work?
• Does my child participate in class discussions?
• Have you noticed any changes in my child? For example, have you noticed squinting, tiredness or moodiness? Or positive changes, such as increased interest in a particular school activity?
• What is my child’s biggest strength?
• Are there big projects or new challenges coming up this year, and what can we do at home to be ready?

PPS family engagement specialist Reiko Williams says parent-teacher conferences are critical to helping students thrive.

“The face-to-face time they provide families and teachers is invaluable,” Williams says. “They help families understand how their child is doing, enable teachers to better support students and give students a boost because they see their families taking an interest in them.”

Teachers work hard to stay on schedule so that other parents/guardians aren’t kept waiting for their conferences. Ask the question you think is most important first, to make sure that you and the teacher don’t run out of time before it gets answered.

Remember, the conference is only one step in being connected. Plan to keep in touch with the teacher throughout the school year, so you can work together to meet your child’s needs.

PPS schools hold parent-teacher conferences on Monday, Nov. 23, through Wednesday, Nov. 25 (students do not attend school Tuesday or Wednesday). Call your school if you do not know when your conferences are scheduled.

At Portland Public Schools, this is our goal: By the end of elementary, middle, and high school, every student by name will meet or exceed academic standards and will be fully prepared to make productive life decisions. For more information on Portland Public Schools, call 503-916-3304, e-mail us at pubinfo@pps.k12.or.us, or visit www.pps.k12.or.us. Portland Public Schools is an equal opportunity educator and employer.