Feedback and Reporting
Conferences
Philosophy and Aims
The focus of the conferences should be on students reflecting clearly on their learning, as well as setting goals for future success. The culture of student-led conferences should be around a growth mindset. The conversation focus should be about ‘learning’ over ‘work’ and how summative assessment provides evidence of skill development, as well as the content. SLC also allows students to select evidence to support their ATL self-assessment and use their portfolio to structure the discussion.
Below is a visual overview of the feedback and reporting structure dates for 2023 - 24 school year.
*This is updated yearly
Connecting with Teachers
Teachers are willing, available, and expected to connect with parents in person from 3:30 - 4:30 or online (during school hours - during a non teaching time) as a formal check in based on summative assessments or parent need at any time during the year, but especially following the SLC or a reporting period - based on parent requests.
Please connect with teachers via email to arrange an meeting at any time during the school year.
Parent Student Teacher Conferences
Hopes and Dreams
Student led conferences, student voice and agency are an important part of the learning journey in the MS. In the Hopes and Dreams conference students will reflect on the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills they need to be successful and how to have a balance between academics and a rich social life - focusing on their interests, ASA’s and sports.
Hopes and dreams are also an opportunity to establish goals for the year, and for parents to be an active poart of this goal setting process through answering the following questions:
Parent/Guardian, when you think about your child, what makes you proud?
Reflecting on your child’s growth last year what did you notice?
Parents, is there anything else we should know that would help us support you as your child enters into this exciting journey through Middle School?
Student Led Conferences
Student Led Conferences are a 20 minute conference between the Student, Parents/Guardians and the Advisor based on sharing ATL evidence on their student portfolio.
At the end of each unit of inquiry, the final reflection learning engagement will be documented in the students’ portfolio
The reflection learning should support the Approaches to Learning skills that have been explicitly taught during the unit
Students should have agency in selecting the evidence which they feel best represents their learning in the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills during the unit
Students select a piece of evidence to embed on the ATL page of their choice and use a protocol for reflection. MS uses the seed strategy and HS the reflection rubric.
Hopes and Dreams Accomplished
For students to reflect and celebrate on their first hopes and dreams conference and growth over the year
Share their portfolio, pictures of friends, sports, ASA’s and achievements
Share their educational journey throughout the year
Evidence to reflect on:
Ground at the start of the year in hopes and dreams conferences
Mid year SLC conference goal - how did you work to meet this goal?
End of year highlights of how students grew as a whole student - this focusses on socio-emotional learning, ASA, Friendships and interests.
Student Agency
Students have agency in deciding what is shared with parents
Students will brainstorm reflection questions in advisories to share with parents