Director's Wave | Volume 5 Edition 20

Dear CIS Community

Something to Ponder

"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan, and not quite enough time.” - Leonard Bernstein

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. The strongest predictors 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, 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 FSA meetings,  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 second conferences of this school year are Thursday 10 April afterschool and Friday 11 April all day.

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.
  • Show appreciation for teachers and your child’s work.
  • 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.
• In the case of student-led conferences, what are some helpful questions to ask my child?
  • How much time did you dedicate to your project / PBL?
  • Do you prefer to work with a partner, in a group or by yourself?
  • What are some of your strengths?
  • What things are you working on to improve?
  • Who do you sit with at lunch / play with at recess?
  • What are ways I may help you with your learning?

For planning purposes, please be reminded of the following dates in which there are no regular classes for students, including Cayman Islands Public Holidays.

Friday 11 April 2025 - Conferences
Friday 18 April 2025 to Monday 28 April 2025 - Spring / Easter Break
Wednesday 30 April 2025 - General Election and Referendum Day
Monday 5 May 2025 - Emancipation Day
Monday 19 May 2025 - Discovery Day

Sincerely,

Jim Urquhart
Director - Cayman International School