Throughout the school year, both BGCC and CSCC Childrens Center’s provide a variety of family engagement opportunities to open the lines of communication. One of the most important engagement opportunities is through family conferences.
During the school year, we offer two formal family conference periods. Our conferences are not just a time to receive a progress report; they are an opportunity for a two-way conversation focused entirely on your child’s experience and development.
Our primary goals during family conferences are to:
- Create Shared Understanding: Discuss your child’s progress across all developmental domains—social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical—providing a complete picture of their growth in the classroom.
- Share Documentation: Review concrete examples of your child’s work, observations, and photos that showcase their learning process and unique strengths.
- Set Collaborative Goals: Work together to set meaningful, achievable goals for your child, both in the classroom and at home.
- Hear Your Insights: We value you as your child’s first and most important teacher. This is a dedicated time for us to listen to your perspectives, insights, and any questions you have about your child’s learning.
CSCC Director
When we share this time together, we strengthen the bridge between home and school, which directly benefits your child. This conference helps to:
- Ensure Consistency: By aligning our approach, we provide a consistent and supportive learning environment for your child.
- Boost Confidence: When children know their parents and teachers are working together, they feel more secure and confident in their learning.
- Celebrate the Whole Child: We get to celebrate your child’s effort, unique curiosity, and personal milestones—not just academic outcomes.
To help families prepare, here is a quick guide on what a typical conference will look like:
- What to expect: Open conversation with your child’s teacher.
- Duration: Conferences are typically 20-30 minutes long. Please be on time to ensure all families get their dedicated slot.
- Who Attends: You (the parent/guardian) and the classroom teacher will attend.
- Focus: The teacher will share observations and work samples. The discussion will be balanced: we’ll talk about strengths and areas for growth.
- Preparation: We encourage you to jot down 2-3 questions you’d like to ask before the meeting. What are you most curious about? What concerns might you have?
- Takeaways: You will leave with a clear understanding of your child’s progress, concrete suggestions for supporting their learning at home, and a feeling of connection with the teaching team.