Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day Parent - Teacher Meetings As easy as A-B-C

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day  Essential building blocks for home to school communication.  A time for listening, sharing, and working together.  An opportunity for teachers to explain your child’s progress, grades, and the grade-level standards.  Successful when parents and teachers have two-way conversations about how to help your child succeed. Parent-Teacher Meetings Are:

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day Before the Meeting a. Things in your child’s life you feel are important for the teacher to know (birth of a baby, loss of someone close, etc.). b. Questions about your child’s progress. c. Your concerns about the school’s programs or activities. 1. Write notes to share with the teacher about:

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day 2. If other family members can’t attend the meeting with you, ask for their concerns and questions. 3. Ask your child questions, such as: a. What do you like about school? b. What do you dislike about school? c. Is there anything to ask or tell the teacher?

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day During the Meeting 1.Arrive on time. Be aware that the teacher may be behind schedule. 3. Tell the teacher you have certain things you would like to talk about. 2.Say something nice about the teacher or the classroom. 4.Begin with your most important questions.

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day 5.Ask questions about what your child is learning. a.Is my child at grade level with his/her reading, writing, and math? b.May I see some of my child’s work? c.What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses in class? d.What can I do at home to support what my child is learning in school? e.What expectations do you have for children in your class? 6.If you run out of time but have more to talk about, ask for another meeting at a later date.

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day Test Results Your child’s classroom teacher has access to assessment data that Denver Public Schools has collected on your child. You can ask your child’s teacher to provide you with this information through a program called OASIS.

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day Test Results The longer your child is in the Denver Public Schools, the more information the district will have about him or her.

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day  Ask specific questions about what you can to do to help your child.  Find out how you can contact the teacher if you have questions. The Most Important Part of the Meeting  Find out how the school will communicate with you (Thursday folders, weekly newsletters, telephone calls, home visits, etc.).

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day After the Meeting 1.Talk about the meeting with your child, and share the positive comments made by the teacher. 2.Develop a plan with your child to act upon suggestions from the conference. 3. Maintain communications with the teacher.

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day After the Meeting 5. Start a folder about your child Report cards Samples of work Notes from the teacher Test scores 6. Make a calendar Mark the next parent-teacher meeting Mark important events Mark parent meetings and social events

Denver Public Schools Colorado Parent Information & Resource Center Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Denver Public Schools Every Child, Every Day Together we will make a difference in your child’s learning!