A student-led conference is a conference with parents led by the student.  The role of the classroom teacher is a facilitator in the conference process. 

·        For a discussion of student work to be relevant, accurate and complete, students need to be meaningfully engaged in the process.  Having students lead a conference with their parents is a way to maximize their engagement!

·        Student Role: Through all stages of the student-led conference process... preparation, implementation and evaluation…the student is the key participant. The student is responsible for working with the teacher to identify strengths, identify learning needs and collect evidence to validate learning.  Students engage in the self-reflection process about their achievement and future goals.

·        Parent Role: Parents become partners in learning when students lead a conference.  The opportunity for parents to have one-to-one time with their child focused on learning and achievement is important to the conferencing process. The parent’s role is to listen and engage.

·        Teacher Role: The teacher organizes the conference environment and helps students prepare for success.  Their roles include scheduling, training students and setting up the conference spaces. At the conference, the teacher steps back and becomes an observer of the conferencing process.

Message for September 2016

PARENT TIPS

With the beginning of school here are some ways to make homework and studying more meaningful for your children

•  Ask your student about their assignment(s). Many times explaining the assignment will help them go over the parts of it and solidify their understanding.
• ·        Ask your student about upcoming assignments. Find out if their teacher(s) want your involvement.
• ·        Suggest that your student(s) write down the names and phone number of one or two “study buddies”.  Then if they are uncertain about the assignment or have a question, they can call a friend to help them.
• ·        Set a regular time for homework each day, but let your student unwind after school before getting started.
• ·        Be available to answer questions. However, let homework be your children’s responsibility.
• ·        Read the teacher’s comments on homework that has been returned. Help your student remember to keep in mind the feedback from the teacher.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS:

Don’t forget Hawthorn Academy’s first Town Hall meeting. It is this Thursday. You can attend two different sessions:

• Gradebook Access: At the beginning of this year, are you asking yourself questions like, “How can I check my student’s grades?” or, “How can I be more involved in my student’s education?”  Come to Hawthorn Academy’s town hall meeting on September 22^nd, 2016.  Mr.  Ellinger will be showing you how to login to Aspire as well as some nifty tips and tricks for navigating the website.  Learn how to get periodic emails of your child’s grades without even having to login to Aspire or find out how to change important information on this website such as your address and health or medical issues.  We hope to see you there! 
• International Baccalaureate (IB):  Parents! Did you know your child attends an authorized Primary Years Program IB World School? Hawthorn Academy is one of only three schools in the entire state that can make this claim! We are proud of our IB authorization and would love to share more with you about our program and what it means for your child’s education.  

Faculty and Staff

• Check out our Hawthorn Academy webpage and get to know our teachers and staff. They are highly qualified educators who care a great deal about each of your children. If ever you have a question, please come talk with the campus principal or Lead Director. 

DEBATES

In November, citizens have the chance to help decide the make-up of the State Board of Education. In 8 districts new members will be chosen.  This Board makes the decisions on education that impact your children. Attend the debates, so that you can make an informed decision.

• September 20^th - District 11 debate 
•  6:30 – 7:30 p.m..  
• At 7:30 there will be a 30 minute Meet and Greet with the candidates. 
• Debate hosted by Early Light Academy (11709 Vandania Dr, South Jordan, UT 84095

School Report Card

Visit our website to see how Hawthorn Academy did on their LEA report card. 

Registration

Middle school students will be choosing their classes. Take time to read through the class descriptions with your student and help them as they make their choices. Students in 9th grade can take two of their required high school science classes. 

Legislative Session:  Please take the opportunity to attend your legislator's town hall meetings and stay up to date on proposed bills that will impact your child's education. I will be posting updates for you. 

Literacy Night:  Don't miss Literacy Night,  February 16, 2017 at 6:30. - "Authors We Love". 

• Because learning to read is complex, our teachers teach with the end goal of readers and learners in mind. Teachers work with our students to  learn to balance the various components of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension in their every day teaching. 
• On this night our teachers are partnering with you to support your student (s) in integrating the components of reading while fostering a love of books, words, and stories.

• Teaching kids to read and enjoy it throughout their life is a team effort. Parents, teachers, caregivers, and members of the community must recognize the important role they can play in helping children learn to read. What families do makes a difference. Let your student know you think reading is important by coming this night. Let's work together to ensure that every child learns to love to read. It is our shared responsibility.