Dear Middle School Parents,
We will have the E-Portfolio Presentation on 29 April and Three-Way Conferences (student, parent and teacher) on 29 and 30 April. Please remember that students are required to attend these conferences. The author Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, from the Harvard Family Research Group,
“believes children should be present at parent-teacher conferences — after all, she argues, they’re the only ones who know completely what’s going on both at home and at school. Children can be wonderful authorities, very wise, very honest, very candid, very insightful about what their experience is,” Lawrence-Lightfoot said during a PBS NewsHour piece. “And that’s a valuable perspective to have in a parent/teacher conference.”
We sent the instructions to sign up earlier in the week. If you have not done so, please follow the instructions below:
ONLINE Conference Sign-up
- Once you are click on the link below, you will see a list of teachers with a box next to each name.
- Select all of your child’s teachers, by clicking the box next to their names.
- You will be asked to enter your child’s name and your name, as well as your email address.
- You will receive an email with a link to sign up with the teachers.
- Click on the link, which will open another page where you will see the available conference times for all the teachers. You may pick one conference time for each teacher.
- Please do not forget to select a time slot for each teacher.
- Click confirmed at the bottom of the page once you are done.
- A confirmation email with all your appointments will be sent to you. Teacher room numbers will be given on the list.
- Please double check that you have a time slot with each teacher.
You can gain access to this system by using the following link:
With guidance from their teachers, students have been given time in class to create their e-portfolios. It is completely student-driven and student-created. They are finalizing their e-portfolios, selecting the work they will share with you and reflecting on why they have chosen these pieces to share.
During this time, it will be a process where students engage in a meaningful dialogue with their family about goals, accomplishments, and learning. The aim of the conference is to encourage students to take responsibility for their learning and share their academic progress with their families. This format gives students the opportunity to:
o Reflect on their academic performance,
o Take accountability for their own work,
o Improve organizational and communication skills,
o Include their parents in their learning experiences,
o Learn to set and achieve realistic goals,
o Take pride in their achievements.
Pops Concert
The Middle and High School choirs have prepared a showcase of all their favorite songs! Join us at our Pops Concert after school on Monday, April 27 in the FAC Cafeteria to hear some great music. This informal performance will feature solos, duets and small groups singing a wide range of popular music. See you there!
Counseling Corner
As we are approaching the end of the school year, we also face with the departures of friends. Here is something from our counselor, Ms. Trish, to keep in mind:
Helping children say goodbye…..
When children face a move, they deal with the nervous anticipation of moving to a new place and the heartbreak of saying goodbye to friends. Not to mention the total lack of control over the situation.
Help Your Child Look to the Future
Be honest with your child about how he or she can stay in touch with old friends. If you’ll be able to visit your old town, let your child know that you can visit friends in the future. If you won’t be able to visit, focus on other ways to stay in touch.
- Explain to a young child that he or she can stay in touch with friends via social media, email or by the old-fashion method mailing letters and drawings.
Help Your Child Plan a Farewell Party
Before the move, plan a farewell party and invite your child’s friends. Do not make the farewell party a surprise. Your child could become depressed if it seems like no one cares that he or she is leaving. Make sure your child is involved in planning the party. This will give your child control over some aspect of the situation.
Tips to make the most of a farewell party:
- Take pictures at the party and make a scrapbook. (Polaroid pictures are fun because guests can write a note on the image.)
- Take a group photo of everyone at the party. Have everyone at the party sign a large white mat that can later be used to frame the image.
- Make a video to have friends record a message.
- Have your child’s friends make handprints on or write messages on a T-shirt, a bed sheet or a banner.
Sources: http://www.allconnect.com
Have a great weekend.
Alan Phan
Middle School Principal