Initial Email

Lindsey Atkins <latkins@samford.edu>

Mar 31


to kbrookins , Amy , Karen

Dear Mrs. Raven,

I hope that this email finds you well.

I would like to schedule a conference with you so that we can
discuss Jays progress over the course of this year. I have very much
enjoyed getting to know Jay; his enthusiasm when it comes to science
far surpasses that of his peers and it is so encouraging to see a student
with such curiosity! Some of the new math concepts we are learning
have been difficult for Jay, but I believe with some extra practice he will
be back on track in no time. He absolutely loves working on the ipads
so I am attaching a list of games and other applications that would be
great for fun practice at home. Overall he is meeting our academic
goals at this point in the school year for Language Arts, Social Studies
and Science. However, there have been some growing concerns about
Jays behavior and I would like to discuss these further in our meeting
to ensure that we are doing all we can to set Jay up for success in areas
both academic and social.
My next available meeting time is Tuesday April 1
st
, 2014 between
10:00am and 12:00pm. If this date will not work for you please let me
know and we will schedule another time. Please review the attached
resources and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. The
meeting will take place in the Orlean Bullard Beeson School of
Education in the third floor open area. I look forward to talking with
you because as his mother you know Jay better than anyone, and I am
confident that we can work together so that he has a successful and
enjoyable rest of the school year.

Miss Atkins
(latkins@samford.edu)
Follow-Up Email

Mrs. Raven,

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to
meet with me yesterday! Your understanding of the situation and
willingness to try some new things with Jay outside of school make me
confident that if we continue to work together he will benefit
immensely and be able to reach his full potential. I am listing below the
contact information of several family counselors in the area that will be
willing to accommodate as far as payment, as well as our school
counselor's email address (I've already spoken with her and she is
happy to add Jay to her small group that meets on Tuesdays from 1:00-
1:30). I am also attaching the "engine chart" and directions for the calm
down jar that we discussed yesterday (Jay said he would love to help
you make them).

As promised, here are Jay's high and low for today!
High: Jay worked well in a group with three of his peers today on a
Science experiment, I was so proud of him!
Low: Jay and another student got into a heated argument at recess,
they are currently writing letters of apology to each other.

Family Therapists:

Covenant Counseling
2204 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 212
Birmingham, AL 35209 USA
Phone (205) 879-7500

IMPACT Family Counseling
1000 24th Street South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: (205) 916-0123

Oasis
1900 14th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone: 205.933.0338

Eagle Elementary School Counselor:
Mrs. Christina Jackson
C.Jackson.EES@jefferson.co.schoolsK12

Again, thank you for you time and please do not hesitate to call or
email me with any questions or concerns.

Ms. Atkins
Eagle Elementary School





























Conference AgendaTeacher Copy

Parent/Teacher ConferenceRaven, Jay

1. Thanks for trusting me to provide a safe and healthy setting for
your child to develop and mature.


2. Purpose of Meeting to share information with each other that will
help us work together to meet the needs of your child. to discuss
some behavioral issues and what may be causing them.


3. Information Exchange

a. General attitude about school
-Does Jay talk about his day at school at home?
- Do you notice Jay not wanting to get up or get ready for
school in the morning?
~During the school day Jay is disengaged and unwilling to
participate in activities such as math, P.E., and interaction with
peers during group work, recess, etc.


b. Temperament and personality
-Does Jay ever seem angry or withdrawn when he is at home?
-Is he aggressive with his brother or do they get along well?
(older or younger?)
~During the school day Jay seems withdrawn and/or physically
aggressive with peers. This seems to be a recent occurrence
(since the end of first grade).


c. Favorites
-Loves the character goro from Mortal Kombat
-Loves science (especially dangerous marine animals)
-Does Jay have friends in the neighborhood that he plays with
after school?




d. Influential friends and family members
-Who does Jay look up to most?
-Has there been any conflict or tension at home over the last
year?



e. Behavior and Discipline
-How would you describe Jays behavior at home?
~Outbursts occur most often when students are expected to
work independently or cooperatively.
~Jay finds it difficult to communicate when he is upset
~Behavior such as hitting, kicking, or taking things from other
students occurs on average 6 times per day
~Student Risk Screening showed that peer rejection, negative
attitudes, and aggressive behaviors occurred frequently
~Student Internalizing Behavior Screening showed that
seeming sad or unhappy, being withdrawn, and disinterested
occurred frequently.
~Jay has begun to show progress with the outbursts and
anxiety during math with the Where is your engine exercise
and the take a break jar
~There has not been any significant progress with the
aggressive behaviors, which is why the conference was called.


f. Strengths and weaknesses
-What do you think are some of your sons greatest strengths?
-In what areas have you seen him progress this year?
-In what other areas would you like to see him progress this
year?
~strength: great with the ipad and other technologycomes
naturally to him.
~Area to improve: Jay has trouble controlling his anger which
often manifests as aggression.



g. Other information
-Is there anything else you would like to tell me about your
son?
~I am always thankful to have your child in my classroom, and
I want to do everything I can to make sure he is getting what
he needs.





4. Questions and Concerns









5. Goals
~To help Jay find strategies that will help him with self-control
when he is angry.
~To help Jay have positive interactions with peers.
~To work with the family to ensure Jay is receiving a consistent
and healthy form of discipline and encouragement.


6. Linking home and school
~Make a plan to communicate regularly about Jays growth.













Conference AgendaParent Form

Parent/Teacher ConferenceParent Notes

Purpose of Meeting
to share information with each other that will help us work
together to meet the needs of your child.
to discuss some behavioral concerns and what may be causing
them.



Information Exchange

a. General attitude about school






b. Temperament and personality







c. Favorites







d. Influential friends and family members











e. Behavior and Discipline











f. Strengths and weaknesses











g. Other information











4. Questions and Concerns









5. Goals
-To help Jay find strategies that will help him with self-control
when he is angry.
-To help Jay have positive interactions with peers.
-To work with the family to ensure Jay is receiving a consistent
and healthy form of discipline and encouragement.





6. Linking home and school
-Make a plan to communicate regularly about Jays growth.















Reflection

I thought that this day was very successful and a great learning
experience. At first I was nervous, but I am so thankful that we had a
practice opportunity before we are actually expected to hold
conferences on our own. I felt that the process of preparing for the
conference was almost as important as the conference itself. Having the
profile and taking the time to go over it was extremely helpful, and
finding resources and creating an agenda meant that we were prepared
to answer and provide something tangible for almost any question that
the parent asked us. My parent was wonderful, and provided me with
very constructive feedback. One of the things that stuck out to me in
particular was her comment that it is ok to be real and paint an
accurate picture of how the child is doing, later telling me that while
she did not question my commitment to the child, perhaps I was being
too nice and not being clear with the parent how bad the behavior was.
This is something I will definitely modify in future conferences, ensuring
that I am real with the parent and they are aware of their childs
behavior. This opportunity really revealed to me the importance of
parent-teacher communication. Emailing my parent both before and
after the conference was important in reminding me that the
relationship between parent and teacher is that of a partnership. One
that is fundamental for the success of the child.