Questions To Ask At A Parent-Teacher Conference: Part II

As promised here are some more questions you can ask you child's teacher during a parent-teacher conference. Below are 7 suggested questions you can ask according to Stacy DeBroff, author of "The Mom Book Goes To School":

1. How are my child's creative thinking and problem-solving skill?

2. Do you group children by ability in reading and math, and if so, into which group has my child been placed?

3. Are there any subject areas in which my child struggles in school or need extra assistance, or seems unmotivated? If so, how can I assist and what can the school offer to get my child back on track?

4. Do you think my child is being challenged academically?

5. Does the school have a program for gifted and talented students? Should my child be tested for it?

6. With whom does my child socialize most in the classroom?

7. How does my child get along with the other kid in the class?

First, listen carefully to all the teacher has to share about your child in the conference. Second, ask your most important questions after listening to the teacher's report and observations. Third, don't overwhelm the teacher with questions. Only ask what is truly important.

Questions To Ask At A Parent-Teacher Conference: Part I

Parent-teacher conferences are the times you can ask questions and get answers on how your child is progressing at school. Make sure you write down any questions you want to ask and take notes if the teacher identifies issues of concern. Below are possible questions to ask during the conference according to Stacy DeBroff, author of "The Mom Book Goes to School":

1. To what extend does my child participate in class activities and discussions?

2. Does my child raise his/her hand often?

3. Is my child shy or disinterested in school?

4. How does my child handle taking tests?

5. What academic progress has my child made?

6. How well does my child listen and work independently?

7. Do you think my child is working up to his/her ability?

8. How does my child compare to the academic expectations for this grade level?

In the meeting with the teacher always keep a level head. When you lay out your concerns, do so in a productive non-confrontational way, and try to be sympathetic. You want to have a positive working relationship with your child's teacher.

Schools and Safety

Madison City, Alabama, had a shooting at Discovery Middle School on Friday afternoon. The result is that there is a 14 year old boy dead from a shot in the back of the head and a 14 year old arrested charged with murder. It was reported that this is the first school shooting in this country for 2010. Sadly, if something isn't addressed it won't be the last. Madison City is an up and coming community that is very concerned with their children, schools, and community.

According to reports everything was done right after the shooting. The school staff, emergency workers, and students knew exactly what to do. The school nurse started emergency treatment immediately and the HEMSI workers were on the scene within 3 minutes. The student that did the shooting was restrained and the school went on code red lock down. According to the news reports everyone was to be commended for their quick reaction.

The question is was there anything that could have been done before this tragedy happened and what went so wrong?


1. First, this can happen to any school in any community and you can never feel beyond this type of incident happening. Madison City is nationally known for their family oriented community and schools.


2. Second, Parents must be aware of what is going on in their child's life. Below are somethings to be aware of with your own child:
- Are they being bullied?
- Are there drugs or alcohol being used?
-Are their fire arms or knives in the child's possession?
-Are there gangs at the school?
- Are there any unusual entries on email or facebook that your child is concerned about?
- Have you checked their room lately for anything unusual?
- Do you talk to your child and know what is going on?
- Is there any change in your child's behavior, appearance, or friends that concerns you?
- Tell your child that it they know someone who has a weapon or plans to harm themself or someone else they need to let an adult immediately. This is never a time to keep a secret.

3. Third, in almost every elementary, middle, and high school, administrators, teachers, and students have concerns for certain student's mental health. Make sure that any mental health concerns are being treated and addressed by professionals.

There is no way to keep tragedies for ever happening, but if parents do their part at home and the school is prepared and does their part, it is less likely to end in the death of a child and other students not feeling safe while at school. We have not gotten all the facts in this shooting, but I am sure there is more to this story. Please pray for the Brown family as they prepare for the funeral of their child and pray for the family of the young man that did the shooting.

How To Make A Conference With A Teacher Successful: Part II

Yesterday, I gave you five suggestions for having a successful parent-teacher conference. Below are five more suggestions according to Stacy DeBroff, author of "The Mom Book Goes To School":

1. Remember the reason for the conference: The purpose for the conference is not to hear compliments about your child. Rather, it offers a forum for fostering cooperation and communication between you and the teacher to help your child grow, develop, and learn.

2. If you are communicating negative information to the teacher, try to speak for a few sentences at a time and then ask for a reaction. If you offer up a long monologue, you are likely to overwhelm the teacher rather than give the teacher time to reflect and respond to each point you bring up.

3. Ask the teacher to explain if she uses educational jargon that confuses you, or if you need clarification to gain a more complete understanding of what is trying to be said.

4. Avoid lengthy discussions about topics unrelated to the meeting's central purpose. Background information is often helpful, but make sure your real issue does not get overlooked in favor of inconsequential stories or details.

5. Do not waste your time or the teacher's time by focusing on what cannot be changed, such as the school's general curriculum. Concentrate instead on your child's school experience within the teacher's control.

How To Make A Conference With A Teacher Successful

It is very important that you make all parent-teacher conferences throughout the year. These meetings will give you information about expectations and how your child is doing in school. It is also a good time to work together to make sure your child will meet with success throughout the school year. Here are somethings you can do to make sure these meetings run smoothly according to Stacy DeBroff, author of "The Mom Book Goes to School":

1. Be on time: Showing up a few minutes late means less time to discuss any issues.

2. Start the meeting off with a compliment: This should set the teacher at ease and set the tone for the meeting.

3. Watch your body language and facial expressions: Keep constant eye contact and arrange you upper body in a comfortable position

4. Stay open to new possibilities: Don't present issues as though you have already made your mind up about them. You want to keep the lines of communication open.

5. Be a fair and active listener: Listen to what the teacher is actually saying. Keep yourself from interrupting when the teacher is talking.

Tomorrow I will give you more pointers on how to make a parent-teacher conference successful.

How To Become a Positive Parent At School

If you feel that the school your child attends does a reasonably good job you should become involved as a positive partner to make it the best that it can be. It is so important to work as a partner with the school your child attends. Below are some positive traits that a parent should try to incorporate to work as a partner with the school:

1. Public relations parents: These are the parent that is active in the community and goes out a speaks positively about the school and what is going on in the school.

2. Behind the scenes: This parent is rarely visible around the school, but will help in anyway possible.

2. Working parents: These parent works full time and cannot always be at all school functions. These parents will take off from work for important events and appointments. They will volunteer to do things at home or give cash donations.

3. Worker bee: These parents are stay-at-home and will volunteer to do just about anything needed.

4. The ray of sunshine parents: These parents come into the school and willing to meet with administrators and teachers to support school goals. They are positive about the school and everyone trust their input.

5. The skilled parents: These are parents that have special skills that they share with the school and the students. It can be computer tech, tutors, artist, bulletin boards, gardening, or anything need to make the school a better place for the students and the staff.

Make sure you get involved with a positive group of parents that go about trying to make positive changes in the school. It will make all the difference in the experience you will have with the school and the experience your child will have.

How To Avoid Being A Difficult Parent At School: Part II

Yesterday I gave you 6 traits that make you a difficult parent at school. Today I will give you 5 more personalities to avoid while dealing with your child's school. According to Stacy DeBroff, author of "The Mom Book Goes To School" below are some common negative stereotypes:

1. Overachiever: This parent lives vicariously through the high standards she sets for her child and the success that child achieves.

2. Overstressed and overworked: This parent constantly feels stressed and over-committed, yet continues to commit to activities. This parent feels guilty about a lack of involvement and wishes she had time to be more invested in the education of their child.

3. Parent Spy: This parent volunteers in the classroom to keep an eye on the teacher and report back to other parents, the PTA, or the principal.

4. Passive-aggressive: This parent hides behind nasty notes but will not tackle an issue with a teacher face-to-face. When a teacher approaches a passive-aggressive parent in person, the parent take on a much friendlier persona.

5. Well-intentioned by completely unreliable: This parent wants to be involve but make promises that are never followed up on.

Make sure you do not display any of these negative stereotypes. It will make your and your child's school experiences much more negative then it has to be. Tomorrow I will give you some positive stereotypes you will want to incorporate.