Studies show that nurturing a life-long learner begins with the child’s family involvement with their school life, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly where to start, or what to expect from your child’s teacher. Conferences in particular can be intimidating, because parents might feel unprepared or not know what to expect.

With Parent-Teacher conferences coming up on November 8th, we wanted to give you 5 helpful questions to ask your child’s teacher, and a jumping off point to empower you to become more invested in your child’s education, and open the lines of communication between your home and school. When we work together, doors of opportunity swing open wide for our children to build the confidence and enthusiasm they need to succeed.

What is my child expected to learn this year?
Your child’s teacher should offer you a set of standards and markers that will indicate that your child is learning according to their appropriate grade level.
What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses in the classroom?
If your child is struggling with a specific subject or social behavior, or shining bright in a specific area, this is the question where you will be able to launch the topic for conversation.
Does my child seem happy at school?
Your child’s teacher spends 30 or more hours per week with them in the classroom and can offer great insight into what is going on with your student when you aren’t around.
How is my child participating in class discussions and activities?
This is an opportunity to see how your student is interacting within the structure of group work, and a chance for them to build confidence and share their ideas. Sometimes teachers have great stories about how your child solved a problem for the class, or made a funny observation about a book they were reading together.
How can I better support my child’s academic progress at home?
This is a question teachers love to hear. They will always welcome any additional support you can offer for your student outside of the classroom. Just like you, your child’s teacher wants your student to reach their full potential, develop a deep love of learning, and find success in their educational career.

It truly does take a village, and when we unite with the school administrators and teachers for the betterment of our community, we are that village. You will get out of it what you put into it.

P.S. We are looking for volunteers who can assist our Spanish speaking parents and ensure all of our community has productive Parent Teacher Conferences!

If you are bilingual in Spanish and English you can help us greatly on November 8th, Parent Teacher Conference Day, by providing translation services in one of Dan Mills' five English Learner classrooms! Our goal is to provide an interpreter to all families that would like one as we strive to provide the best possible communication between our teachers and parents.
Click here to sign up!