Parent Teacher Conferences 

1. Conferences Times and Scheudling

2. What to Expect

3. Important Policies and Resources

A parent-teacher conference is a short meeting between you and your child’s teacher to talk about your child’s academic performance and experience at school. 

These meetings help you understand what your child is learning at school, their progress both academically and social-emotionally, and what you can do to support them. If your child is having particular difficulties, parent-teacher conferences also give you and the teacher time to plan how you can both help them best.

As in the past school year, all parent-teacher conferences will be conducted remotely for the 2021-22 school year. Meetings with parents/caregivers may, upon request, occur in-person on a mutually agreeable date and time.

1. Conference Times and Scheduling

Students will be dismissed at 1:30pm.
If you have scheduling conflicts please communicate with the teacher to find a time to meet. 

2. What to Expect at the Conference

Translation and Interpretation Services 

We want all families to participate in PTC! Interpreters are available. Let the teacher know when you sign-up for the conference if you'll need interpretation services. Interpretation ensures that you understand and can also ask questions and clarify misunderstandings in your home-language.

Preparing for the PTC 

The conference is an opportunity for you to speak with your child's teacher and share your child's questions, concerns and what is working well. Prepare by talking to your child:

• Ask your child how they feel about school, and prepare a short list of questions or concerns that you can raise with the teacher. 

• Ask your child what their strongest and weakest subjects are, and which ones they like most and least. 

• Ask your child how they feel about their relationships with their teacher and their peers. Do they feel supported and welcomed in the classroom? Is there anything they would like support with outside of schoolwork?

• Review your child’s academic progress, test scores, and attendance on Powerschool. Take a look at the school calendar on https://birney.sandiegounified.org/ Do you have questions about upcoming events, activities or assessments?

• Make a list of questions you have, and topics that you want to discuss with the teacher. Include things that might help them understand your child’s challenges, strengths, and interests. Describe what you see as your child’s strengths and explain where you think your child needs more help.

• Think about what you can tell teachers that will help them understand your child better, such as your child's favorite subjects, special interests or hobbies, medical conditions, family situation, or any problem that might affect learning, attendance, or behavior.

Conversation Guide for Parents 

This school year is challenging for everyone, and there are no right or wrong answers. We understand that whatever you are doing right now to support your child is the right thing for you and your family. Below are some suggested questions for you to use in conversation/reflection:

• How is my child doing? Is there anything you would like to share with me about what you have observed regarding my child since school started?

• How is my child doing socially and emotionally? Are you concerned about them in any way?

• How can I best support their social and emotional development at home?

• What is my child expected to learn, know, and do by the end of this grade, and is my child on target? 

• How will my child’s grades be calculated? 

• Does my child have any outstanding assignments, and if so, can you please provide me a list of those assignments and a timeline of when they need to be submitted? 

• What does my child do well, and what does my child struggle with? Can you give me examples? 

• How do you know when my child is making progress and when they need additional help? 

• What can I do to support my child? 

• Are there online programs or services that could also help my child?

3. Important Policies and Resources

The Family-School Partnership Act is a California law that allows parents, grandparents, and guardians to take time off from work to participate in their children's school or child care activities. The law (Labor Code Section 230.8) first took effect in 1995. Its provisions were expanded in 1997 to add licensed child day care facilities to the kindergarten-through-grade-twelve levels included in the original legislation. 

Tips for Parent Teacher Conferences

English espanol Pashto

From PTA

Assessments, Grading Policy

As your child’s learning journey continues this year, it is critical that you have a clear picture of their progress. Your child's teacher will share report card grades as well as samples of your child's assignments and assessments in the classroom that can also give you insight in areas that may not necessarily be included the report card.

If you have questions about information on your child's Powerschool account you can discuss your questions or concerns with the teacher or principal. 

Report card grades are not always easily understood, especially for families that are accustomed to different grading systems and scales used outside the United States. Your child's teacher can explain the numbers, accronyms, and or terms on the report card as well as the reasons and evidence they use to give a particular grade on the report card. A teacher may also explain their grade scale and/or grade policy. They often share this at the beginning of the year with parents at open house or send home paperwork explaining the grading policy. 

More Information if Interested.

• IB Learner Profile
  As an International Baccalaureate World School teachers observe a child's development of the IB Learner Profile traits
  While these traits are not reported to parents on the report card, students are expected to demonstrate these traits inside and outside the classroom. students are expected to continue developing these traits throughout their journey as an IB student. 
  Caring
  Balanced
  Principled
  Knowledgeable
  Risk-Taker (courageous)
  Reflective
  Thinker
  Communicator
  Inquirer

• Students are assessed in their Specials classes which may include Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Physical Education Spanish language, and/or Garden.
  Students' self-management and social skills may factor into their citizenship grade on the reports card. 
  -Academic grade from Specials included on report card: Arts (with Mr. Evans) and Physical Education
  -Not included on academic grade on SDUSD Report Card: Spanish language, Dance or Music Class or Garden
  
  

• Assessments 

  • District Assessments may include FAST assessement for Reading and Math; DRA reading assessment, F&P Fountas and Pinnel reading assessment; DEMI math assessment. Not all of these are found on Powerschool and not all will be used to inform report card grade.

  • Annual Standardized Assessment results as well as English Language Proficiency Assessment for California can be found on the child's Powerschool account. Contact ahammondwilliams@sandi.net if you need access. This test is normally administered between April and June each year. 

  • Assignments designed by teacher or grade-level to assess mastery of specific learning standards

    • Arabic - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC) 

    • Armenian (Eastern) - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Armenian (Western) - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Chinese (simplified) - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Chinese (traditional) - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Farsi (Persian) - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Hindi - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Hmong - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Japanese - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Khmer (Cambodian) - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Korean - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Lao - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Pilipino (Tagalog) - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Punjabi - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Russian - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Somali - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Spanish - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Ukrainian - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC)

    • Vietnamese - Overview of the Common Core State Standards (DOC) 

• Report Cards

Report Card grades provide a snapshot into common language for understanding and communicating with your child’s teacher(s) about their strengths and areas for growth. The report card aims to provide you with a clear picture of your child’s progress at this time. (see the report card chart below) 

ELEMENTARY STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS

The San Diego Unified School District Elementary Student Progress Reports indicate the extent to which students in grades TK through 6 are achieving the grade-level standards.

Students are evaluated on their achievement of grade-level skills, strategies and concepts identified in the California Content Standards. The marks for each reporting period indicate the student's progress toward expectations.

The report card indicates if a child is

• Exceeding grade level expectations

• Meeting grade level expectations

• Approaching grade level expectations, or

• Beginning progress toward grade level expectations

The report card also provides information about the student's Social, Citizenship, and Learning Skills.

FAQs -- Parents (Spanish, Tagalog)

Note:
NG or N/A = no grade, not available, and/or not taught/evaluated at this time   

Grade Scale for Birney Elementary Report Card

Academic can include:
-Knowledge and Understanding of specific subjects (math, science, writing, reading, social studies, physical education and health)
-IB Approaches to Learning (specific skills)
-creative and design thinking skills
-research and investigation skills
-communication skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking, presentation, non-verbal communication)

Citizenship can include:
-self-management  - effort, participation, time-management, task completion, persistence, organization
-social skills - collaboration, communication, patience, open-mindedness, caring
-thinking skills - problem solving, reflection, goal setting
-communication skills - listening to others, taking turns while speaking, understanding non-verbal cues
-research - academic honesty and integrity, respecting copy-right, giving credit to others' ideas