FILE:  IHAD

Cf:  JBE, JD

Cf:  JDD, JDE

 

PARENT CONFERENCES

 

 

The Rapides Parish School Board realizes that communication between home and school is an important factor in establishing a highly effective school program.  Planned conferences between parents and teachers are an important way to bring about understanding and close cooperation between the home and school.  Communication should be maintained through conferences with all parents, not just with those where academic or other problems suggest the need for better communication.

 

ACADEMIC CONFERENCES

 

At least two (2) parent-teacher conferences for Pre-Kindergarten-12th grades shall be scheduled by teachers each school year.  At least one (1) parent or guardian of the child shall be encouraged to attend or participate in at least one (1) of the scheduled parent-teacher conferences.  Other conferences may be scheduled as the need arises.  Failure of parent or guardian to attend scheduled conference(s) shall not result in any negative action against the student.

 

If a middle school or high school student has more than one teacher, the parent or guardian may participate in the conference by conference call.

 

The principal or supervisor should be present at any parent-teacher conference when there is reason to anticipate an atmosphere of hostility.

 

If a student’s academic performance is such that it could threaten the student's ability to be promoted to the next grade level, the student’s parent/guardian shall be offered an in-person meeting with the child's classroom teacher and school leader to discuss any resources or strategies available to support and encourage the student's academic improvement.

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES CONCERNING GRADES

 

The parent may request a parent-teacher conference through the principal's office.  After notification by a parent requesting a parent-teacher conference, the principal or his/her designee shall schedule the conference as soon as possible.

 

Conferences shall be scheduled during the teacher's planning period and may not exceed that time period.  The principal shall be available to participate in a parent-teacher conference upon request by a parent, teacher or both.

 

Parent Conference Precautions

 

  1. Parents who want to meet with a teacher concerning grades or discipline shall report to the office and not be allowed to go directly to the teacher's room.  This meeting should take place in the principal's office or the school counselor's office.

  2. If a teacher and parent have had disagreements in the past, the principal should be made aware of this before another meeting is held.

  3. If the teacher feels the situation is getting out of control, he/she should seek help or let the volatile situation cool.

  4. If a teacher is threatened or attacked, he/she shall report this to the principal immediately.

  5. If a teacher is injured as a result of an attack by a parent, the principal shall notify the police and have a warrant filed.

 

DISCIPLINARY CONFERENCES

 

Parents may be required to attend a conference with their student's teacher/principal/ school counselor under the following circumstances:

 

  1. When a school is removed from a classroom by the teacher, the teacher may require that the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of the student have a conference with the teacher in the presence of the principal or his/her designee before the student is readmitted to the classroom.

  2. Upon the third removal from the same classroom during the school year, a conference between the teacher or other appropriate school employee and the student's parent, tutor, or legal guardian shall be required prior to the student being readmitted to the classroom.

  3. In any case where a teacher, principal, or other school employee requires the parent, tutor, or legal guardian of a student under eighteen (18) to attend a conference or meeting regarding the student's behavior, and, after notice, the parent, tutor, or legal guardian willfully refuses to attend, the principal or designee shall file a complaint with a court exercising juvenile jurisdiction.

  4. Subsequent to the suspension or recommendation for expulsion of a student, a conference shall be scheduled with the student's parent, tutor, or legal guardian and the principal, as a requirement for readmitting the student to school.  Notification of the conference shall be by telephone, or in certain cases, by certified letter.  Such conference shall be held within five (5) school days of mailing the certified letter or other contact.  On not more than one occasion each school year when the parent, tutor, or legal guardian refuses to respond, the principal may determine whether readmitting the student is in the best interest of the student.  On any subsequent occasions in the same school year, the student shall not be readmitted unless the parent, tutor, legal guardian, court, or other appointed representative responds.

  5. When a student is suspended a second time within one school year, the principal may require that a counseling session be held with the parent, student, and the school counselor.  If no school counselor is available, the principal may require a conference between the parent, student and all the student's teachers and the principal or other administrator.

  6. Upon a student’s third unexcused absence or unexcused tardy, the principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent or legal guardian in writing and shall hold a conference with the parent or legal guardian.  The parent or legal guardian shall sign a receipt acknowledging notification.  Tardy, for the purposes of this enumerated item, shall be as defined in La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:233.

 

Revised:  September, 2008 Revised:  February 5, 2019
Revised:  November, 2012 Revised:  February 1, 2022

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:233, 17:406.7, 17:406.9, 17:416

La. Children's Code, Art. 730, Art. 731

Board minutes, 5-4-76, 7-2-79, 12-8-92, 6-17-02, 12-2-08, 2-5-13, 2-5-19, 2-1-22

 

Rapides Parish School Board