WEB EXCLUSIVE | Parent teacher conferences began this week after their year-long absence due to last year’s adapted schedule. 

These conferences provide a chance for parents to understand how their child is performing in classes as well as to see how they can support them outside of school. Conferences began via Zoom on Monday Oct. 25 and will continue through Friday Oct. 29.

“The quarter one conference is a good time to check in on my grades and get a sense of where I’m at in each class,” junior Sofia Terry said. “I don’t feel it’s important for me to be there during the conference because I can just meet with my teachers on my own.”

It is, however, important for students to be involved in the conferences because the information pertains to them and their academic performance, according to sophomore Isabelle Knott.

“I want to hear the same information my parents hear,” Knott said. “These types of conversations are more straight to the point and help me as a student.”

Parent-teacher conferences are not only a chance for teachers to share how students are doing in their classes but also learn a bit more about them as people from their parents, according to chemistry teacher Jessica Yates. 

“There are definitely pros and cons to having just the parents at the meeting, the benefits being that both the teacher and the parents can just feel a little more open and candid,” Yates said. “However, I would prefer the student to be there so that they can hear feedback directly from myself and thoughts that their parents have.”

Parents can set up 10 minute conferences through their Parent Portal accounts with any of their child’s teachers. There is a maximum of one conference per student for each teacher and four sessions is the recommended amount, according to an email sent by Head of School Rachel Simpson.

“My family has been going to teacher conferences since freshman year.” Terry said. “If it’s a more challenging class, then I’m happy to be getting feedback that can help me improve.”