PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES AT BRANCH BROOK ELEMENTARY

       Parent Teacher Conferences in Ms. Forfa's class are warm, to the point, and compassionate. Fortunately, the parents in this community obviously care for and are concerned about their children, and may not be troubled by the burdens that affect other communities. Out of a class of 26 students, 26 parents/caregivers were present! Not only was my mentor Dana  Forfa's 2nd grade class replete with eagerly anticipatory parents, from the "staff room" conversations I held during the week, practically every teacher in the building was busy meeting with his or her classroom parents. (I make a point of this because, in stark contrast, the parent turnout at Maple Ave. School, earlier this year, was disappointing to say the least.)

        Anthony P's mom arrived with her usual warmth and smiling face, yet, she always seems to be waiting for the bad news...which NEVER comes! Her son is a delight and works exceptionally hard on each and every assignment.  Earlier in the school year, I had the opportunity to sit in on a Child Study Team meeting about Anthony. His mother was extremely worried because she was informed by the professional staff at at his previous school, that he would probably need an intervention of some type. Neither Ms. Forfa nor I felt that there was any type of behavior, academic or otherwise, that would warrant an intervention. Ms. Forfa stressed, "You just let him read at home, to you and to anyone else, and we'll take care of the rest!" Anthony is progressing well...

        Joselyn G.'s mom came in and was immediately informed how well her daughter was doing. (Something she is well aware of because every time I see her coming into the school or leaving, I give her an update on her daughter's progress. She is an energetic, bright and respectful young lady (actually all of our students are) who wants to do well and continues to make every attempt to do so. Because I have established a wonderful rapport with all of the parents I have met, Joselyn's mom felt comfortable enough to ask ME to make sure her hair was "in place" for picture day.

       Nicolas R's mother appeared, as she usually does, to pick her sons up (he has a younger brother in kindergarten) and was more than amenable to engage in a conversation about Nicolas' progress. Nicholas is a quick-witted, intelligent young man with a penchant for conversation with his table mates, especially Jaelyn, who sits alongside him. His reading level is a 16, which is the independent level for a second grader. Unfortunately,  Nicolas' parents recently separated and it is obvious that his frustration thresh hold is becoming lower.  For instance, if he is made aware that he has responded incorrectly to a math homework answer, he becomes easily agitated; Recognizing this, and utilizing the knowledge obtained regarding his family issues, I always begin by telling him how great he is doing and that he only made a couple of slight errors (which is the truth). Also, whenever he or any of the students respond correctly to all of their homework problems, I put the word PERFECT! on their paper. This seems to evoke a deep sense of pride in the students, as well as their parents. (Homework correction time has also become a time where I can implement expansion of vocabulary strategies. For instance, each week the word for really good or great papers changes: Excellent, Fantastic, Superb, etc. have all been relished by the students and can actually be seen appearing in their descriptive writings.)

       Leeah S, recently named student of the month waited outside while her parents came in and were given the wonderful news that their daughter is doing exceptionally well. This type of feedback ALWAYS makes a caregiver beam with pride. 

       Luis M. is the oldest of three boys, and his mom is now pregnant with, you guessed it, boy number 4! Luis is extremely bright, but would habitually fall asleep during class. Ms. Forfa addressed this area of serious concern with the principal, Mr. Cullen, previously, and apparently Luis' mom has been making a great effort to avert a serious problem. She stated that he would take long naps after school, then could not go back to sleep once he finished his extended nap. Ms. Forfa suggested that he not be allowed to nap after school or if so, only for an hour. His mom agreed, and apparently it has been working...He no longer falls asleep! Luis is a wealth of knowledge, something his mother attributes to the fact that he reads, reads, reads, all the time.  I know this is true, because at every given opportunity he wants to tell me about a book he is reading and is even utilizing words such as strategy and text-to-self connections without prompting!  He is a joy to have in class and his mother was proud to hear it...

       All in all, Parent Teacher Conferences at Branch Brook School were pretty much ideal. One can only hope that the parental turnout and level of concern in other areas of this fine city,  will reach Branch Brook's proportions. Perhaps, when we have our own classrooms, we will find inventive and persuasive ways to help those parents who have difficulties, become model parents as well.  A collaboration between teacher and parent (s) is crucial for the success of our children!