Director's Wave | Volume 5 Edition 9

Dear CIS Community,
 
Something to Ponder

“Education is when you read the fine print, experience is what you get when you don’t.” - Pete Seeger

Conferences
Participating in parent conferences is an example of parent involvement. Balanced parent involvement can result in stronger academic achievement, better learning habits, and decreased behavioural challenges. Indeed, the best predictor of a student’s success in school is not social status or income. Some of the strongest correlations of student success tend to be if a family,

• Eats meals together
• Has a home environment that encourages learning and mutual respect
• Expresses high, yet not unrealistic expectations for children
• Is appropriately involved (i.e. not hovering or helicoptering or bulldozing, yet not overly laissez-faire) in their child’s education
• Is appropriately involved (i.e. not overbearing, yet not apathetic) within the community

We are fortunate to have two formal conference sessions during the school year, as well as back-to-school evenings, community learning meetings, parent meetings and more, to foster parent involvement at CIS, in addition to the weekly newsletter (The Weekly Current). The first conferences of this school year are Thursday November 7 after school and Friday November 8 all day. Please be reminded that on Friday, November 8, 2024 there are no classes for students. Earlier this week, via PCR you will have already received communication on how to sign-up for the conferences.

What are some hints to help the conferences be helpful for me, the teacher, and my child?

• To assist with the conferences, below are some tried and true hints.
  • Be on time for conferences and respect time limits.
  • Be honest with teachers and make your concerns known in a respectful manner.
  • Show appreciation for teachers.
  • Take time to reflect before the conference and try to prepare specific questions.
  • Try to be open-minded. Listen first, reflect and then act.
  • Discuss the issues rather than the teachers.
  • It is okay to feel defensive on behalf of your child, but act as an advocate, not an excuse-maker.
  • Remember that it is okay to be a real person. It is helpful to let the teacher know that you struggle with parenting; everyone does. The teacher also struggles with teaching (and may be a parent as well).
  • Remember that we are all on the same side – we all want each child to be as successful as possible.

Be well - sincerely,

Jim Urquhart
Director - Cayman International School