Parents Evening this week, what should I ask to get an honest answer??

[champagnesupernova]

Shamelessly inspired by this thread

I have my first PTC this week for DS1 - what ought I to know?

needy pfb bump

I think you ought to know if there are any issues as the school may need your support in resolving them. (SEN, GT, Friendships, homework, etc)

However there may be a lot more you want to know. If there isn't, great, you will have a nice short parents evening! The teacher should let you know all the vital stuff.

Me, I'd want to know that they were active in lessons (or play, as Im guessing yours is reception if its your first ever), putting their hand up, sharing ideas, excited about whats going on. I'd want to ensure they were polite and friendly and seemed happy with a few friends.

Wellthen
You are right - it's more questions I might want to ask
Quick morning bump - any more for any more?
Thanks

But that was kinda my point - how can we tell you what you want, only you know that. Asking parents what you should know often leads to confusion; they pass their own worries which actually never concerned you before.

Are they happy and learning, they are the vital things. If there is nothing else you want to know then good, a little information can be very dangerous. People become obsessed with reading levels, the exact number of phonics little Johnny knows etc and lose sight of the full picture.

This is your first. Go, see what the teacher says and if you think of questions later then ring and ask!

Hi champagnesupernova:

I had my rant on the other feed so would briefly only suggest this: you probably know a few things that concern you or you're not clear about. My advice is to make a little tick list (just a one word thing to remind you to ask).

It could be as silly as plimsolls - your DS has changed shoe size - should you just send these in with him or do you come in when you collect him/ drop him off and swap the shoes over?

Anyway - you'll already know what you do and don't understand about his class or what's bothering you (maybe no books home yet) - so make a little list and then select 3 key questions that you really want to have answers to. This way you aren't monopolizing the teacher's time (she/ he will have a lot of other parents/ carers to see) but you are not just sitting there.

If this is year R - the obvious question is 'Are you happy with how XXXX is settling into your class?' - it's neutral but it is giving the teacher permission to say if there are a few 'issues'.

Finally I would say that if you convey to the teacher(s) that you're concerned to honestly understand how your DC is doing and interested in their opinion, they will open up. But it's about building relationships and letting them understand that you will greet good and bad news with equanimity.

Welcome to the club!

HTH