Support Elmhurst D205 Parent-Teacher Conferences

As a parent and an educator, I do not understand how you can justify this decision.

As a past parent of a child who went to Hawthorne, Sandburg and York and a retired school teacher(40 years of service), I feel it is important for a parent and a teacher to establish a relationship in which to understand the child and keep that communication open . Everyone gets the same information and helps the child meet his potential.

Parent-Teacher conferences where parents have to opportunity to meet teachers face-to-face is of the utmost importance. They give parents the opportunity to let teachers know they are supported, get to know who they are (put a face with a name), and know the parents are paying attention.

I was not very happy about having my son lead the last conference. The teachers need to meet with the parents.I want to hear from the teachers how my son is doing in school. Not from my teenage son. I'm sorry. .. my son won't see what he needs to work on the most. Or what his strong or weak points are. I was very disappointed that Sandburg would enforce student led conferences. Very concerning for us as parents when we can't even hear from the adults on how our kids are doing or what needs to be done. Worst change ever. Very disappointing

9 years ago Featured

Though I enjoyed hearing my daughter's thought on her goals, I had no idea what the teacher's perspective was. I have discussions with my child. This format was disappointing in that there was no communication with the adult in charge of my child's education.

When I came out of the student PowerPoint I went straight to the computers in the hallway to voice my opinion. I hated it. It was in no way useful. My son told me his grades in every class (which I knew from PowerSchool) and what he has to do if he has a late assignment for every teacher. Really? What happened to the communication? I was really disappointed when the principal wrote in an email they had great reviews (my opinion sure wasn't printed). I am just shocked that we are continuing this in the future. I will not attend if this will continue and am so excited that my youngest will be in 8th grade next year. I have never felt so strongly against anything in the Elmhurst District 205 before. I have 3 children two at York and the one in 7th grade. I sure hope York doesn't go to this format. I didn't get any feedback I would like and normally get with a teacher conference. It's also a huge plus to meet someone face to face instead of email. How did this answer my questions about my child's education? It didn't. I would like to know what my son excels at, where he is having difficulties, how is the class itself, are there any problems or distractions in the class that can have an affect on his learning, is he a leader or a follower, how does he interact with other kids when he isn't at home, is he comfortable enough with each teacher to ask questions when he doesn't understand something. Just some answers that I usually get answers to but this year...nothing. It was also a waste of school time for the children to work on this. Next year, I rather have my child sit and read a book instead of working on this PowerPoint.

As cute as my son was making his presentation, I left Sandburg that night thinking "we need to go back to conferences". Period.

I was very pleased with my son's student led conference, i was skeptical but it was helpful. But I would like a see the student led combined with teacher time. I do think that for most kids - the only teacher time, unless there is a problem is 5 minutes at curriculum night. we can better be partners. It was nice to see the interaction and feedback between my son and the teacher facilitator but it doesn't replace time with his academic teachers.

I think that a combination of student led conferences AND some time for teacher led conferences would be the best combination. At the very minimum, I believe that each teacher should complete a brief summary on what the students are doing well and what they need to improve upon. Even though my son is an A/B student, I have no idea what the teachers feel he should improve. This is disconcerting as I want him to be the best prepared for high school and if there are things he could work and improve upon, I would like to know. Thanks you!

As a parent of an incoming 6th grader, I felt that I didn't have the opportunity to really discuss any issues with her teachers. It was nice that my daughter developed this presentation and shared it with us but I felt that we couldn't have an open discussion on how to improve any issues she was having or get her help.

Like the student-led conference but we also need a teacher conference as well.

Parent-teacher conferences are an important step in creating a bridge between school and home. Our children are not trained professionals and they should not be expected to fill that role. We need to hear from the teachers about how to academically support our children. If they would like the student to be present that is great - but everyone needs to be involved.

The student-led conference did not seem to provide myself or my child much insight. The preparation also seemed to take up a lot of my student's instructional time, thus not only lacking productivity but also detracting from learning. I appreciate that my child was able to put together a Power Point and present it to me, but a.) there have been other opportunities for them to write powerpoints and present in front of class since the conference (on curricular material and to a larger audience) and b.) my child shared the entire presentation with me prior to our conference. Perhaps this is a brief exercise they could do and present to parents at home, as homework? The teacher is merely a spectator in this process. I think it's important for parents and teachers to make a mutual connection in their shared goal of student acclimation and growth. To do this, meeting the teachers and discussing the student privately seems to afford the best opportunity for what I think is the goal. Perhaps I am missing some political piece here? Do the teachers not want individual conferences?

I strongly agree with what you stand for. I feel the same way about the student lead conferences. Thanks!

I want to hear from my child's teachers on her progress and how to support her at home. This is what I learned at my child's student lead conference: My child likes school, she is adjusting well to the differences between 5th and 6th grade, and she's doing well in her classes. This is not okay. There was zero insite to my child's learning. It is really bogus that the principle took away the best tool that parents had to find out how their kids are doing as learners and as people (socially).

I have participated in parent teacher conferences at Hawthorne, Sandburg, and York -- and have always found them beneficial -- at all grade levels.

Child self evaluation is a good thing too, however direct evaluation and comments from the teacher is essential.

Student led were a waste of time

Would like to meet with my sons teachers personally. Many did not provide suitable conference input. Easier for the school but missing the quality aspect. Patrick Soule

We pay the teachers of district 205 a great deal of money! I'm totally against students providing academic conferences in place of the students actual teacher performing the conference . I want to hear from the teacher not from my child in regards to how they were doing academically .