Communication Guide Home | Introduction | Communication: Teachers | Administration | Guidance | Printed Material | Solving Problems By Name | By Department | Faxes | LPS Administration Teachers are direct links to information about your student’s academic life and can provide valuable information. They do, however, teach between 100 and 130 students each so it is politic of you to be considerate of their time and to use avenues of communication wisely. In-person conferences, telephone conversations, and postal and email communications are all open to you. Email addresses, voice mail and phone numbers are included at the end of this document. Conferences Because each teacher has so many students it is not practical to schedule conferences with every student’s parents. That is why there are other avenues that may be more efficient and just as satisfactory for resolving many issues. • Conferences enable you to receive a face-to-face evaluation of your child’s progress and to discuss course requirements with the teacher. They may be initiated by the teacher or by you at any time. A parent conference may be initiated by the teacher if your student is having academic difficulty. They can be initiated by you by calling or emailing the teacher. • Conferences may be scheduled for any X block (first period on Wednesday mornings). • Ten-minute conferences may be scheduled on the one official conference day in the winter (Monday, January 5). Given the constraints of time and the number of students at LHS, it is not possible for all parents to meet with all teachers on this day. If you choose this conference option, it is advisable to choose one or two teachers only. Information explaining how to schedule these conferences will be sent to parents on or about December 1. • Conferences may be scheduled for any other time or date by arranging a mutually convenient time with the teacher. • In-person conferences may be substituted by telephone, email, and postal communication at any time. Please check with the individual teacher for convenient methods for both of you. Course Information • Back-to-School Night in the fall (October 2) provides an introduction to the teacher and an overview of the course and its expectations. You will spend about ten minutes in each classroom with other parents whose children have been assigned the same class. • Teachers provide written course expectation sheets at Back-to-School Night and/or through the student. Ask your student for a copy or request one from the teacher. • Check with the Main Office, department offices, LHS Newsletter, or the LHS homepage <http://lhs.lexingtonma.org/> for schedules of special events (concerts, drama productions, shows, debates, science fairs, etc.) that may be course related. Formal Reports Report cards are sent home with the students at the end of quarters 1, 2 and 3. Fourth-quarter report cards are mailed home. The quarter dates are posted on the school calendar. A Progress Report is also sent home with each student midway through the first quarter. Ask your student to see progress reports and report cards. Progress Reports may also be sent home at any time at the teacher’s discretion, especially if a student is having difficulty in the class. Problems Concerns and problems need to be solved as they arise in order to serve best all participants, especially the student. Encourage your child to speak to his/her teacher as soon as any problem surfaces. You are encouraged to follow up if your child is not satisfied or not clear about the teacher’s response. If for any reason the teacher is unable to answer your questions, a call to the appropriate Department Head should resolve the issue. If you are still in need of help, the names of your child’s Dean and guidance counselor appear on your student’s course schedule, or can be obtained from the Main Office.