THANK YOU!

April 13, 2017 -- Sandburg’s principal announced this week that the school will return to parent-teacher conferences in the fall.

The announcement came as a complete surprise to those of us spearheading the petition campaign. Especially surprising is that the plan includes parent-teacher conferences only, without any student-led conferences. Since the fall, we had been pushing for a creative compromise including both student-led and parent-teacher conferences.

We are very pleased with the principal’s decision as it reflects the value we place on connecting with the teachers who are so important in our children’s lives. While the principal’s announcement points to challenges with the new middle school block schedule as a motivator, we know that this announcement would not have happened without the groundswell of supporters that included people like you inside and outside of Sandburg.

THANK YOU for being willing to stand up for what you believe in by signing the petition, sharing ideas on social media, talking with your own networks, contacting administrators/school board members, and showing up and speaking up at BOE meetings. You have made a difference!

Personally, we have learned so much during this journey. Two of our biggest takeaways: stay informed and get involved. All of you have inspired us. Let’s continue to pay attention and speak up. Attend meetings. Get to know our administrators and school board members. Working together — parents, administration, school board — we will continue to foster an atmosphere of achievement and growth for all D205 students.

It’s our school district. It’s our community. Thanks to you.

With sincere gratitude,

Deb and Jenn

ORIGINAL PETITION WEBSITE LANGUAGE FOLLOWS

This fall, Sandburg Middle School replaced parent-teacher conferences with something called "student-led" conferences. In doing so, parents were not offered a forum for meeting in-person with all of their child's teachers as they have in the past.

Student-led conferences are not an acceptable replacement for parent-teacher conferences.

Sandburg's principal has communicated that she will not reinstate parent-teacher conferences for the 2017-18 school year. Superintendent Dr. David Moyer is standing by the principal's decision. His support of what's happening at Sandburg could have implications for how the rest of our school district handles conferences.

Please sign this petition and help us send a strong message to the administration that we care about this issue!

In signing, you are agreeing with the following statements:

I support parent-teacher conferences within Elmhurst School District 205. I respect the educational professionals in our community and value their insight. Meeting with my child's teachers each fall helps me better support my child at home.

Please include your first and last name, and check all boxes that pertain to you before clicking "Sign Petition."

Visit http://parentteacherconferencesmatter.weebly.com/ for more information and to sign up for e-news updates on this issue.