TO REPORT OR NOT TO REPORT?

Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC) also known as Report Cards Day to some schools are marked off as part of every school calendar every academic year. This means either a victorious day or doomsday for both learners and parents. This is also a day of treat for the learner after burning the midnight oil for studying or a trick up to the sleeves of parents and advisers.

And this is also the day the two of the most influential people in a learner’s life meet- their parents and their teachers. For some or majority of students, PTCs are nothing to be concerned about. It is just a day for showing off their grades to their parents and maybe earning a prize for the hard work they did for the grading period. To others, this is dreaded as a teacher’s opportunity to spill the beans on all the shenanigans they have committed.

But PTC Day serves a more important purpose than just handing over report cards and telling stories about the students but it is also a chance for parents to see the environment where their children spend a majority of their time.

As a teacher, you serve as the link between home and school. Encouraging parents to play a larger and more active role in their children’s education can actually be better for your students. And getting them involved requires you to go beyond the hello and how are you phase.

Here are some tips to maximize attendance during Parent Teacher Conference Day:

1.Prepare everything you need. We know the drill. Prepare the report cards and class records. Looking unprepared can make a negative impact with parents. Earning parents’ trust is essential in building the relationship with them.

2.Make time for each parent. For sure every parent who attended will want some of your time during the PTC. Know to cut short the conversation to make time for all parents with special concerns.

3.Provide concrete evidence. Be prepared to answer all questions especially the overly concerned ones. Expect they most likely see the evidence regarding their child’s performance for themselves rather than taking your word for it. Show exams, quizzes and projects to them to give them a clear picture on their child’s standing in class.

4.Be fair and objective. When talking about a learner, make sure of sharing his good and bad points. By this, you are making the parent more motivated and involved in their child’s studies.

5.Drop hints. While meeting with parents and describing their child’s behavior in school, you can suggest ideas to them on how to help them in their school work and lessons.

6.Be consistent. After using the PTC as a jumping off point, continue to foster family involvement by constantly giving parents ideas on how they can help their child throughout the school year. Provide suggestions like cutting down TV and gadgets hours for study time and doing of school assignments. Help them create methods on getting their children foster good study habits and let them share these ideas during the PTC.

Remember that PTC Day isn’t just another school work or a day in school. It is an opportunity to motivate parents to participate more in school activities and in their child’s school performance.

Achieving all of these, will always make us teachers, in a win-win situation with our work and with our schools.

-oOoThe author is a Teacher III at Real National High School, Division of Pangasinan 1