Letter from Dr. Amodio

Dear St. John’s Parents- I hope that this letter finds you warm and safe in this unexpected crazy weather! We had an incredible Catholic School’s Week last week! The students had a ball! It was so fun to see all of the school spirit and to see the joy of each student participating in the events designed to celebrate Catholic Schools. We have an amazing school – made up of incredible teachers, students, and parents. I very special thanks goes out to the CSW committee volunteers who made this week possible for us – especially Briana Lasher and her tireless work behind the scenes – Thank you! Next week we will have parent-teacher conferences. We will be trying something a bit different when it comes to signing up for the conferences. The sign up sheet will now be online on our website – please check out our website to sign up for the times that work for you. I would strongly encourage each family to sign up for a conference. This is a great way to see the classrooms, visit with the teachers, and find out ways to help your student succeed. In line with the Catholic teachings on Catholic Schools, schools are to work in partnership with parents –these conferences are the perfect way to build the partnership with your student’s teachers! I found this great tip sheet online to help parents prepare for parent-teacher conferences. I particularly like #1 and #8 – it helps to engage your student in the parent-school partnership and helps them take ownership of their learning. Ten Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference by Peggy Gisler, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S. Here are some general hints on how to have a successful conference: 1. Ask your child if there is anything that he would like you to discuss with the teacher. 2. Jot down everything that you want to talk about at the conference. 3. Arrive promptly or a few minutes early. 4. Begin with positive comments about the teacher or classroom. 5. Avoid lengthy discussions of topics that are not related to the purpose of the conference. 6. Be open-minded to suggestions from the teacher. 7. Keep your emotions under control. 8. Take notes about what has been discussed to share with your child. 9. Express appreciation for the conference. 10. Do not stay beyond your allotted time. Thank you for your support of Catholic education – and of St. John’s School. We are so blessed to have such committed and devoted parents in our school community. May the Lord keep you safe – you remain in my constant prayers! +Blessings, Dr. Sara Baird Amodio