Dear Parents,
Next week we will have Parent Teacher conferences. This will be an ideal time to touch base with your child’s teacher on how your child is progressing in school. Keep in mind that we are a team in the education of your child. Here are some tips from the National Education Association (NEA).
Show up, please!
Come on time, and don't stay past your allotted time.
The teacher has all the other parents to meet with in tightly scheduled time blocks. If you are late, your session may be shortened.
“We know parents are busy, but it is important to carve out time to invest in your child’s education and ensure success at school,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “To get the most out of parent-teacher conferences, parents need to take an active role in their child’s education year-round and come prepared to discuss how their child can reach their full potential.”
Get Ready
. Do your homework prior to parent-teacher conferences. Prepare by writing notes to yourself concerning:
- Any questions about the school’s programs or policies.
- Things you can share with the teacher about your child and his/her life at home.
- Questions about your child’s progress.
Ask Important Questions.
Don’t be afraid to engage in a frank conversation with your child’s teacher. Your goal is to develop an action plan for your child’s success at school. Good questions to ask the teacher include:
- What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?
- How does my child get along with classmates?
- Is my child working up to his/her ability? Where could he/she use improvement?
- What can we do at home to support what you are doing in the classroom?
Initiate the Action Plan
Start immediately on the action plan you and the teacher put together. Discuss the plan with your child and track his/her progress. Stay in touch with your child’s teacher throughout the year with regularly scheduled “report card” conferences that can keep the communication lines open.
“Parents are the best resource for a child to make the grade,” said Van Roekel. “When teachers and parents work together, we can help a child have a successful school year.”
Thank you for all you do to support your student and their teacher. Together we can ensure that your child reaches their maximum potential!
Welcome Nancy Slipka to our Holy Family team. She will be teaching in 5
th
grade. Here is a little about our newest team member:
My name is Nancy Slipka and I have lived in the valley most of my life. I attended elementary through high school here. I graduated from Grand Junction High School, received my degree in regular and special education from the University of Northern Colorado and my masters in education from Western State College. I have 2 grown children and 7 grandchildren. I taught for 37 years before retiring from District 51. I’ve taught both 4
th
and 5
th
grade and have been involved in numerous curriculum committees throughout my career. I believe learning should be a fun, life long experience and we are all uniquely capable of reaching our fullest potential as learners and members of our community. I feel blessed to be able to support Mrs. Segrest and her students during her journey to recovery and I appreciate the opportunity to do so. Thank you so much for the welcome.
Mrs. Gipson
