Dear ELC Families, 

We look forward to seeing you this week for your child’s first semester parent-teacher conference. This opportunity to dedicate time to reflect and share is key to our goal of engaged students and families.

From decades of research, we know the best predictive indicator of student achievement is parent engagement with the teaching and learning of their child in school. The parent-school relationship is more impactful on student achievement than the social, cultural, racial, or class background of the parent. Beginning this collaboration with your child’s teachers in our kindergarten division will lay the foundation for your child’s achievement throughout their learning journey at Avenues and beyond.

Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, sociologist and professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education describes parent-teacher conferences as the essential conversation. She asserts “productive dialogue requires that both teachers and parents see the necessary and crucial claims of each other’s position. Each must respect and value what the other knows and sees; each must attend carefully and listen deeply to the perspective and wisdom that the other brings.” While our teachers and faculty are experts in early childhood education and development, we will never achieve the level of expertise in your child as you have. This is why our work necessitates a true partnership and ongoing dialogue.

We look forward to continuing our conversations with you on Wednesday and Thursday! 

Warmly,

The ELC Leadership Team