First Years’ Bellwork:

“Why Didn’t I Learn This in College?” workbook p. 271

Complete the “Working with Parents as Partners” survey

Second/Third Years’ Bellwork:

• On the back of your printed class roster:• Make 3 columns• Title them “never”, “rarely” and

“often”• Assign each student in the class to

1 of the 3 columns based on how often they exhibit off-task or disruptive behavior in your classroom.

“From Four to Three…”

• Take a moment to read the article titled “From Four to Three…”• Feel free to annotate,

underline, highlight as needed to aid you in a post-reading discussion

Mentee Training

CourseMonday October 6 and 20, 2014

Mentor Contact: Becky Jachym

Today’s Objectives

• Recall definitions and descriptions of AK/CMS vocabulary words

• Summarize PEP expectations• Explore strategies to improve

parent contact

First Years’ Agenda

1. Bellwork: wkbk p. 271 Parent Survey

2. Announcements

3. Guided Practice: PEPs

4. Repaso: Matamoscas

5. Apuntes: No Parent Left Behind

6. Tarea: 2 AK good news cards

2nd/3rd Years’ Agenda

1. Bellwork: Roster Sort and Reading

2. Announcements

3. Guided Practice: PEPs

4. Video: Parent-Teacher Conference

5. Group Activity: “Calling All Parents”

6. Tarea: 2 AK good news cards

Announcements

• Classroom Central/Yoobi• Supplies in PDC•MyTalent/Pink Sheets•Mentor 1st quarter observation•Mentee 1st semester observation• Jachym Walk-Thrus

PEPs

• Blue Folders• P drive• Computer, public drive,

PEP 2014-2015

• 4x4 classes: Spreadsheet FRIDAY!

• A/B classes: January

PowerSchool

CEU 504 plan ILT

NCEES DEAR Homeroom Common Planning

EOC Intranet MSL Promethean

A/B dayclass

LCD PEP Differentiation

SLT MyPD Employee Self-Service

PLC

EOY IEP FAC Recovery

Knight Time PDP Common Core 4x4class

¡Matamoscas!

Parent-Teacher Conference Tips

“Calling All Parents”

• Using the 5 index cards at your table:1. Briefly define each guideline

in your notebook by describing what it looks like in practice.

2. Why is this guideline important?

3. As a group, rank the guidelines in order of importance.

NO PARENT LEFT BEHIND!!

TOP TEN THINGS TO DO/NOT DO!!

NO PARENT LEFT BEHIND (1)

1) Make the first contact POSITIVE

• A child’s PERCEPTION is often the parent’s REALITY, especially if they are not hearing from the school.

NO PARENT LEFT BEHIND (2)

2) SMILE and recognize the impact of non-verbal communication

• 2 powerful words to start a parent conference with are THANK YOU . . .

NO PARENT LEFT BEHIND (3)

3) Parents move/remain here because of the quality of the school and expect no less from parent conferences.

• Give them no VALID reason to say: “I was not AWARE . . .”• Return calls and emails PROMPTLY• If you speak with their child in a DISCIPLINE matter, make

the parent aware.• “Let Me Know if my child is STRUGGLING before it is too

late.”• Offer TIMELY and DETAILED DATA to support your position.

No Parent Left Behind (4)

4) To teach, first we must REACH• Are their issues at HOME affecting performance or

behavior?

• Work to develop a comfortable and collaborative relationship with parents.

• Approximately 75% of parental complaints are concerning relationships.• Only about 25% concern instruction

No Parent Left Behind (4)

• Mix some RELATIONSHIP with the rules.• Mix some politeness with the POWER• Don’t mentally or emotionally DEFEAT the

potential of a parent conference before it even begins.

• PROACTIVELY and consistently review strategies for enhancing relationships with parents.

• Why should you (or your administrator) have to clean up a relational mess that could have been AVOIDED?

No Parent Left Behind (5)

5) LISTEN! – Let the parent be heard; this is sometimes all they desire.• Maintain an OPEN DOOR policy.• Mix some LISTEN with the lecture.• Don’t DOMINATE the conversation

No Parent Left Behind (6)

6) View opposition as an OPPORTUNITY and conflict as CONSTRUCTIVE• If necessary, AGREE to disagree and stay CALM

• If the answer is NO, we still have a choice as to how we deliver that answer

• A willingness to COMPROMISE can be your greatest power tool!

• A great question for the parent when the conference is STALLED

No Parent Left Behind (6)

• Parents may shut down or attack when they feel THREATENED

• Many parents view the SCHOOL as it once treated them.

• Don’t take it PERSONALLY!• Let Go of my EGO! Not CONFIDENCE, just pride!!

No Parent Left Behind (6)

• “Be kinder than NECESSARY, for everyone you meet is FIGHTING some kind of battle”

No Parent Left Behind (7)

7) Never suggest MEDICATION or diagnose a DISABILITY!

• Simply describe OBSERVED behaviors- just the facts.• You could potentially lawfully OBLIGATE

the district to fund treatment, medication, and/or an alternate setting.

No Parent Left Behind (8)

LOSE-LOSE COMMENTS

No Parent Left Behind (9)

9) Develop TRUST!! Be REAL!• When time allows, chat about OTHER topics such

as parents' jobs, hobbies, sports, etc. • Parents need to know their children are SAFE,

SIGNIFICANT, and SUCCESSFUL.

No Parent Left Behind (9)

• Along with all your degrees, certificates, awards, etc. display photos of you with students having FUN, with your family, doing your hobbies, etc.

• Maintain EYE contact!• Avoid Interrupting!• Be prepared-- Have your HOMEWORK

completed!

No Parent Left Behind (10)

10) Win-Win comments:• THANK YOU for meeting with us/taking the time to talk with us.• You can be PROUD of the way he/she . . . • I am willing to do EVERYTHING I can to help your child be

successful.• TOGETHER we can make this year/semester great for . . . • I can UNDERSTAND why/how you might feel that way.

No Parent Left Behind

JUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND

CALL!!

Tarea:

• Need: 2 AK Good News Postcards.• Using the AK Good News Postcards – Write a positive

note either to a parent/guardian or student• Submit both postcards to me with the student’s full name on

the address label• I will fill in address and get postage for you!

• Due: Next Mentee Meeting• ALL mentees: November 10