STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES at MG
Mechanics Grove School is proud to announce that we are conducting Student-Led Conferences for our Fall conference times. As a Leader in Me school, students are celebrated as leaders regularly. Student-led conferences are a way for students to practice their leadership skills, the 7 habits, and Leading the PACK. Please see below about details that outline the conference in detail.
Definition of Student-Led Conferences
A student-led conference is a conference with parents led by the student. Students lead parents through a discussion of their work and established academic and social goals. The process includes the teacher facilitating several conferences at the same time. The student directs the conversation focused on their work and classroom behavior.
Philosophy and Purpose of Student-Led Conferences
The process of communicating the progress of students to parents must involve students in a meaningful way. 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 parents is a way to maximize their involvement. The involvement of students in the conferencing process promotes three elements essential to improving student performance in school:
· Relevance; why we are teaching what we are teaching to students
· Responsibility; making the student more responsible for learning
· Reporting to parents how students are progressing in learning
Roles and Responsibilities of Student-Led Conferences
Successful student-led conferences require changes in the roles that teacher, student and parent have played in traditional parent conferencing.
Teacher Role: To organize the conference environment and to guarantee success. This includes guiding portfolio collection and training students and setting up the conference spaces. The teacher becomes a guide and observer of the conferencing process.
Student Role: Through all stages of the student-led conference process (preparation, implementation and evaluation) the student becomes the key participant. The student becomes responsible for working with the teacher to identify strengths, identifying learning needs and collecting evidence to validate learning. The student practices self-reflection.
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 parents role is to listen.
Please note that a student-led conference is NOT a time to discuss new concerns that the teacher or parent has regarding the student. These concerns should be discussed prior to the conference via phone or email. The best thing that a parent/teacher can do is respect the need for the student to lead the conference time.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Fergus, Mrs. Bertaud, and Team MG
To Schedule Your Child's Student-Led Conference, use THIS DOCUMENT to click on your child's homeroom teacher's link.
MORNING DROP OFF- New Sign
Please note that if you are dropping off your child in the morning, there is a new sign explaining that you need to take a right turn only from the parking lot during drop off times. Thank you for your cooperation on this in order to improve efficiency and safety.
Welcome to Mundelein!
A Night for Coffee, Snacks, and Discussion for Families New to the United States
When?
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 5:00-6:00 pm
Where?
Washington Elementary School Library (122 S. Garfield Ave., Mundelein, IL, 60060)
Who?
This is a night designed for families new to the United States (under 3 years)
What?
This informational night will focus discussion on local resources and organizations to help families succeed in the United States.
Questions?
English / Español: Jorge Moncada (jmoncada@d75.org, 847-226-2626)
English / Español: Ryan Zak (rzak@d75.org, 847-949-2022
English / Ukrainian / Russian: Larisa Brener (llbrener63@gmail.com)
A Note from our Specials Teachers
Art: It has been an exciting start to the year as students have been learning art room rules and procedures while having fun showing their creativity. The third grade students learned about paper quilling techniques and designed an original paper sculpture. The fourth grade students have been learning about color theory and oil pastel blending techniques. The fifth grade students have been creating an abstract relief sculpture focused on lines and patterns, inspired by the works of contemporary artist Charles McGee.
DD: Book checkout started the second full week of school, students usually check out two books per week. They have been very excited to find great books to read. If a book is overdue, an automated email will be sent to remind you to send the book back to school if it is at home. In our Discovery Den classes, students in grades 4 and 5 started the year getting reacquainted with the layout in the Discovery Den, while 3rd graders were learning where to find books. To help, third grade worked in pairs on a scavenger hunt, learning everything from where to find band-aids to how the books are arranged. Fourth and fifth graders worked on a library escape room practicing skills such as organizing and locating books. All grade levels are now practicing their alphabetizing skills, a life skill that is crucial to finding books in the Discovery Den!
Music: We have had an amazing start to the year in the music room! Students in all grade levels have worked to learn the music room expectations and procedures. 3rd Graders read and sung the book, “All Are Welcome Here”, and reviewed quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests by composing rhythms to go along with the story. 3rd Grade also learned to play and sing the song “Apple Tree”, and are currently working with partners to drum the hand clapping game, “Double Double.” 4th Grad e learned the song “Starting a New Year”, and added percussion instruments such as hand drums, rhythm sticks, finger cymbals, and other fun sound effects. 4th Grade is now working singing the song “Alfred the Alligator” in canon. They are also learning how to play “Alligator Pie” on xylophones! Finally, 5th Grade has been working on creating movement for the chant, “Good, Better, Best.” They also created their own rhythmic compositions and added percussion instruments to accompany the chant. Finally, 5th Grade is creating their own melodies on xylophones for the “Good, Better, Best” chant. Students are getting the chance to teach the class their melodies! We can’t wait to see what else these students create this year!
PE: Students have kicked off the PE class with great enthusiasm! We started the year with engaging team-building exercises and aerobic activities to keep everyone active and healthy. This September, we’ll focus on essential skills for kickball and flag football, emphasizing leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Alongside these sports skills like passing, kicking, throwing, and catching students will learn and work on their fitness goals targeting cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and flexibility. In PE, we’re all about leading the PACK, which practices habits like synergizing, being proactive, and striving for win-win outcomes every day.
Important Dates
10/3- NO SCHOOL
10/9- PTO Meeting (7:00pm at CSMS)
10/11- Early Release (students dismissed at 11:05am)
10/16- Leader in Me Family Night (6:00-7:00pm)- Please RSVP soon- Flyer is attached below
10/16- Picture Retake Day
10/19- PTO Spooky Boogie Bash at MG (5:30-7:30pm)
10/22 - Student-Led Conferences (5:00-8:00pm)
10/24- No School for students (Student-Led Conferences are from 12:00-8:00pm)
10/25- No School
10/30- 5th and 8th Grade Spooktacular Band Concert (7:00pm at CSMS)
10/31- Halloween at MG (details to come)
Follow Us....
1. Follow us on our facebook page: Mechanics Grove School
2. Twitter handle @mg75wolves
3. Follow us on our instagram page: mechanicsgroveschool
4. Follow us on Tik Tok @ principal.be.kind
