What to Expect at a Parent-Teacher Conference
Throughout the school year, you should expect to receive at least five updates about your child's learning. You will get 3 written Learning Updates that are like report cards, and 2 informal Learning Updates, like conferences, e-mails, or calls from the teacher.
The goal of all updates is to ensure that:
• Students take part in meaningful conversations that help them engage deeply with their learning.
• Parents/caregivers are well informed, are involved in decisions and dialogue about their child’s learning, and understand ways to support and further their child’s learning.
In qathet School District:
Parents/caregivers of students in elementary schools will receive information about their child's progress in three report cards and two conferences.
Parents/caregivers of students in secondary schools will receive information about their child's progress in four report cards and two conferences.
Parents/caregivers of students in our online school (PIE) will receive information about their child's progress in three report cards and three conferences.
Our first conferences are coming up on November 1st, 2023.
What to expect at a parent conference?
Conferences provide an opportunity for you and your child's teacher(s) to discuss your child’s areas of strength, any areas of concern, as well as set learning goals for your child’s continued growth. Your child's teacher(s) will share helpful strategies and ways to support your child's learning at school and at home. You'll also be able to share information about your child with their teacher(s). Parent conferences are an opportunity for you to ask questions about your child's learning and engagement at school. We know that effective communication between home and school is central to student success. Parent conferences are just one way to establish strong relationships between home and school.
Questions you might want to ask:
What are my child's strengths?
What is an area of concern?
Is my child engaged in class?
Does my child seem happy at school?
What can I do at home to support my child?
What's the best way to communicate with you?
Here are some resources for parents seeking further information:
English Communicating Student Learning: Information for Parents and Caregivers Package (2.3MB, PDF)
Parent and Caregiver Information Sheet - How will I know how my child is doing (PDF)
Parent and Caregiver Information Sheet - What is my child learning (PDF)
Parent and Caregiver Information Sheet - Why is my child not getting letter grades (PDF)
Parent and Caregiver Information Sheet - What is descriptive feedback (PDF)
Parent and Caregiver Information Sheet - Why is my child self-assessing and setting goals (PDF)
Parent and Caregiver Information Sheet - How will I know my child is on track to graduate (PDF)