Family conferences: What are they and why are they important?

Family conferences are one of the most important days of the school year. They are a dedicated time for you, your student and your student's advisor to sit down together, look at how the year is going and talk about what comes next.

No matter where your student is in their learning right now, a conference is your chance to get the full picture of their education and a chance to share what you know about your child that we don't.

Why it's worth your time

Grades only tell part of the story. In a conference, teachers can share what's behind the numbers: the effort your student is putting in, who they're connecting with, and how they handle a tough problem. It's also the best time to catch small things early, because a slipping grade is much easier to turn around in October than in May.

You'll also leave knowing exactly where your student stands. At every conference, families get a clear update on progress toward promotion, so if anything needs attention, there's plenty of time to act.

What to expect

• There's no school for students on conference days, so the whole day belongs to families (plan childcare if you need it!). You'll meet with your student and their advisor for a short, focused conversation about wins, growth areas, progress toward promotion and goals for the rest of the semester.
• If you'd like an interpreter, please indicate this when you register via Bloomz.
• Come ready (it only takes 20 minutes). Note: If your student has a 504 or IEP, plan for 10 extra minutes to discuss how your student's plan is being utilized to support them in
• A little prep goes a long way. Start by asking your student what's going great, what feels tough, and what they'd want their teachers to know. Then take a quick look at their grades and any missing work, so you can spend your conference time on next steps instead of catching up. If you have any questions, reach out to your student’s advisor.

A conference is a starting point, not a one-time check-in. Afterward, celebrate the wins with your student, pick one or two goals to work on together, and check in on them each week. You never have to wait for the next conference to reach out to a teacher or advisor, and if your scheduled time doesn't work, just call the front office and we'll find one that does. Every DSST family deserves this conversation, and we can't wait to see you there.