Conferences are scheduled for October 21 and 22. Your school will share specific information about conference dates, times, and scheduling. Conferences give you an opportunity to talk about the student who matters most to you: your child.

As you prepare for your child’s conference, consider asking:

• What is my child doing especially well right now?
• Where are they still growing?
• Is my child participating, connecting with others, and feeling like they belong?
• What is one thing we can do at home to support their learning?
• Is there anything you would like to know from me that would help you better support my child?

Last year, we changed the way we monitor student growth. Here is some information that may help with conversations at conferences:

A Better Way to Understand Your Child’s Reading Progress

Reading is more than a number.

You may notice something different when talking with your child’s teacher about reading this year. Instead of sharing a single reading level, teachers will talk with you about the specific reading skills your child has learned and what they’re working on next.

Here’s why we’re making this change and what it means for your child.

Why did reading levels change?

For many years, schools used reading levels, often shown as a number or letter, to track students’ progress.

But learning to read involves much more than one number can show.

Children develop many skills as they become readers, including:

• Phonics: Understanding how letters and sounds work together.
• Fluency: Reading smoothly and accurately.
• Vocabulary: Understanding the meaning of words.
• Comprehension: Understanding what they read.

A child might be strong in one area and need more practice in another. A single reading level doesn’t tell us the whole story.

What are we doing differently?

Our teachers now use several research-based tools to better understand each child’s reading skills.

This helps us see what your child already knows, where they need support, and what they’re ready to learn next.

For example, instead of telling you that your child is reading at Level J, a teacher might explain that your child is reading words accurately and is now working on reading more smoothly.

The goal is to give every child the right instruction at the right time.

Will my child still read books at their level?

Yes! Teachers will continue helping students choose books that provide the right balance of practice, support, and challenge.

Children will also have opportunities to explore different books, discover their interests, and enjoy reading.

We want students to see themselves as growing readers, not as a number or letter.

How will I know if my child is making progress?

You’ll continue to receive updates from your child’s teacher. Rather than focusing on a single reading level, those conversations will help you understand:

• What your child is doing well.
• What skills they’re learning next.
• How their teacher is helping them improve.

This approach is part of our district’s commitment to the Science of Literacy, using research about how children learn to read to guide our teaching.

How can I support my child at home?

You play an important role in helping your child grow as a reader! Here are a few simple ways to help:

• Read together. Make time to read with your child, listen to them read, or read aloud to them, even as they get older.
• Talk about books. Ask what they’re reading, what they’ve learned, or what they think might happen next.
• Let them choose. Encourage your child to explore books and topics that interest them. Reading should be something they enjoy, not just something they practice.
• Celebrate progress. Notice their effort, growing confidence, and new skills rather than focusing