Parent University Conferences 2019

Hello Mustang families.  I wanted to dedicate this blog to explain all about our upcoming Parent University and Parent/Teacher Conferences.  As you know our spring conferences are usually optional, and are usually held over the course of the 3 days before Spring Break.  This year we have decided to do things a little different.  This year our parent teacher conferences will be part of our Parent University night.  So let's explain Parent University for those who are new to Marshall, or did not attend last year.

Parent University is a night where you can come attend several informational sessions to learn about a variety of topics pertinent to your child's education.  These are topics that were chosen by Marshall parents in our survey that went out previously, and include things such as Raising Readers, School Safety, Making Mathematicians, Active Parenting, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, and more.  These session option can all be found in the Parent University brochures that went home with your children tonight.  This year you will have the opportunity to choose from 3 sessions, as well as attend your child's conference session.  So how will this night look?

Parent University/Conference Night will take place next Wednesday, March 13th from 5-7pm.  There will be 4 sessions that you may choose from, if you choose to attend all four sessions.  The run time for these sessions are:

• Session 1 - 5:00-5:25
• Session 2 - 5:30-5:55
• Parent/Teacher Meeting - 6:05-6:30  (This will be our group parent/teacher conference time where we will meet in our room)
• Session 3- 6:35-7:00  

At the group conference you will be given your child's individual report card.  We will review what goes on our report cards, as well as our first grade progress report information.  We will look at and discuss the data we use in the first grade on these reports, and you will be able to privately see your child's progress thus far.  If you feel you still would like an individual conference after this (or even in lieu of if you still prefer) I will be sending home an individual conference time sign-up sheet tomorrow.  However, having done the group data conferences before, I feel you will find it unnecessary to attend both, and am hopeful you will choose to attend the Wednesday night conference as your option.

You might be thinking sure, but it sounds like a long night.  I hear ya, but here is the beauty in Wednesday night.  You can make it look the way that works best for you.  Only want to attend the conference?  That is an option.  Want to attend the conference and one or two sessions?  You may do that as well.  Or you may choose to attend all 3 sessions and the conference time.  Our main goal is to have as close to 100% attendance for the conference time (6:05-6:30) as possible.  The rest of the sessions you can pick and choose according to your schedule and what works best for you.

Dinner will be provided.  Pizza will be available in the gym all night long, and you may stop in and grab dinner as you make your way in and out of sessions.

Childcare will also be provided if needed.  Children in childcare at 5:45 will receive dinner as well.

If you have any questions regarding Parent University/Conference Night please feel free to email me, and I will get back to you immediately.  Hope to see everyone Wednesday, March 13th for our conference! -Ms. Shaw