What Makes Perimeter School Parent-Teacher Conferences Different
By: Kay Lee, Director of Student Support
On Thursday and Friday of this week, approximately 510 parent-teacher conferences will take place at Perimeter School. This does not include the 80 or more individual, student support, and fall meetings that have occurred since August. As a longtime educator (in public schools and at Perimeter School) and a parent of four Perimeter School graduates, I can honestly say that our parent-teacher conferences are a unique and beautiful picture of covenant education.
Our parent-teacher conferences open with prayer for wisdom and clarity. Led by the teacher or parent, these prayers invite God into the meeting, and as God has been invited to be a part of the process, we can trust that He will reveal His plan.
In addition, parents and teachers experience the “team effect” during our parent-teacher conferences, as they commit to the best educational plan for each student and commit to cultivating a gospel-centered relationship with one another.
Parent Perspective
These parent-teacher conferences provide a chance for you to share your perspective on your student’s growth and love for learning. You, as parents, are the primary educators of your students. You have knowledge and wisdom that needs to be shared. Be authentic with your hopes for each of your students. Be authentic about their struggles. The conversations in these conferences can provide encouragement where there is struggle and clarity (and calm) where there is confusion. We highly encourage both parents to attend the conferences together!
Teacher Perspective
Your student’s teacher will share his/her observations. These observations might include insight into academic progress, social interactions, understanding of our school habits, focus and engagement, and/or goals for the year. The teacher could share plans to better challenge your student in areas where academic strengths have emerged and/or plans to help your student make connections in academic areas where he/she may struggle.
Even if the teacher shares areas where your child needs to grow, remember that he/she wants to be a part of this growth, to encourage your student and love him/her well.
Perimeter School teachers are for your students. They truly desire to nurture EACH student’s love for learning.
Thank you, Perimeter School parents and teachers, for your commitment to “come together” to invest in students. Thank you for being different as, together, we educate and equip generations of students and families to glorify God and pursue kingdom flourishing.
God shows up in our messy places and transforms ordinary moments into holy ones.