Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
are a valuable resource
in the education of your child. During conferences, the
teacher and parent/guardian have the
opportunity to communicate valuable information that will
help the student throughout their education.
Parents, your active participation is essential! Working
with your child’s teacher is one of
the first steps in helping your child achieve academic
success. Communication between home and
school is one of the best ways to ensure that your child’s school
experience is a successful one.
Next conferences scheduled for October 28-29, 2009
Elementary school
Please contact the Elementary Education Department at 907-742-4254
with questions. |
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Middle school
Please contact the Middle School Education Department at 907-742-4249
with questions. Learn more about Student-Led Conferences on the Middle Link site. |
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High school
report card distribution
Please contact the High School Education Department at 907-742-4256 with questions. |
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Wednesday, October 28
Thursday, October 29 |
| Student dismissal |
12:30 p.m. |
| Conferences |
Start at 1 p.m |
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| Friday, October 30 |
| In-service day |
No school for students |
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Wednesday, October 28
Thursday, October 29 |
| Student dismissal |
11:45 a.m. |
| Conferences |
12:15 - 3 p.m. |
| Teacher dismissal |
3 p.m. |
| Evening report time |
4 p.m. |
| Conferences |
4 - 7 p.m. |
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| Friday, October 30 |
| In-service day |
No school for students |
Student-led conferences
Click here to learn more about middle school student-led conferences.
Conference scheduler
Click here to schedule a student-led conference. |
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| Thursday, October 29 |
| Student dismissal |
11 a.m. |
| Conferences |
11:45 - 2:30 p.m. |
| Teacher break |
2:30 p.m. |
| Evening report time |
3:45 p.m. |
| Conferences |
4 - 7 p.m. |
| Teacher dismissal |
7 p.m. |
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| Friday, October 30 |
| In-service day |
No school for students |
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Advice for a constructive conference
Conferences offer an opportunity for you to find out how your children are
getting along with classmates, how they are progressing in school and what you
can do at home to build on strengths and overcome challenges. Parents will have
scheduled conferences with elementary teachers. At the middle school and high
school levels, time with each teacher will be brief, but parent participation
is an important way you can show support and schedule an individual conference
if needed. The following questions will help guide your teacher conference and
(with some minor changes) can be used for students at all levels:
Before the conference
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During the conference
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Decide what you want to ask the teacher and write the questions down.
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Consider making a list for your child's teacher of things that will help create
a better understanding of your child; for example, family conflicts, feelings
about school, hobbies, special health problems.
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Ask your child some questions: what's her favorite subject? what's her least
favorite? what do you want me to tell your teacher?
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Be on time. Write down the time of your appointment and arrive promptly. If you
can't make the conference as scheduled, call and notify the teacher.
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If you have a specific point to discuss or have a complaint, listen to the
teacher's point before criticizing.
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The teacher may have some questions too -- not trying to pry into your personal
life, but only to obtain information that will help her or him to work better
with your child.
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Before you leave develop an action plan. If need be, set up a way to check on
your child's progress. You and the teacher can decide how best to stay in
touch. Finally, follow through with the plan.
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Leave promptly to allow other parents to have as much time as you had with the
teacher. If you feel the need to continue, schedule another conference with the
teacher.
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10 questions you might ask the teacher:
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What will you cover in this grade or subject this year?
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How are you addressing state and district standards?
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What are your expectations for homework? Has my child
missed any of his/her assignments so far?
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How are my child's work habits? Does he/she use his/her
time in class well?
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Does my child read at the level
you would expect for this grade?
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Is my child able to do the math
you would expect for a student in this grade?
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Is my child in different groups for different subjects?
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Has my child missed any classes
other than the ones I contacted the school about?
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Does my child qualify for any special programs
-- for example, gifted and talented, English as a second language, or learning
disabilities?
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Does my child get along well
with the other students in this class?
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What can I do at home to help my child be more successful at
school?
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The key to a successful conference, parents and teachers agree, is two-way
communication. By exchanging information, parent and teachers can set the stage
for a great school year.
You can also help us by being prepared to discuss the general area of your
child's health, sleep habits, special interests and problems, and reactions to
school, plus any other information which only you have but which could help the
school. We hope these conferences are very productive!
Online resources
Below are links to other resources you might find helpful. The list
was developed to provide a starting place for learning
more about parent conferences. It
is in no way intended to be an exhaustive list and
the
contents
of these Web sites are not specifically endorsed by
the Anchorage School District. 
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