Until the ES Student Led Conference (SLC)
Day on Friday March 16, parents Clint and Valerie had no idea
their Grade 2 student could play the xylophone.
But Sutton surprised them by playing a song called “Twelve Bar
Blues” while showing
off his music room. “We didn’t even know he knew so many
musical notes,” Clint proudly exclaimed. “Sutton was teaching
us about G and A!” Clint, Valerie and Sutton were one of over
500 families who participated in SLC Day, when ES students
ruled the school, leading their parents through a day of discovery
and goal setting.
“It’s an empowering, fantastic day for our students,” said
Sarah Harris, PYP Coordinator. “They show their parents all aspects
of the curriculum and demonstrate how much they are learning.”
It was also a busy morning for twin sisters Ioanna and Dimitra.
By 9:50am, the girls had already challenged their mother to
a sit-up contest in PE class; choreographed a 50-second
dance with her in drama class; and composed their own music
as a trio. And they hadn’t even visited Homeroom
yet! Tina was enthusiastic about how SLC Day gave her the
hands-on opportunity to not only see but also participate
in the school life of her daughters. “Today, I was really able to be engaged in the school life.”
“Usually, when I ask my daughters about what they did at school, they
say the same things over and over. But today, they explained
all of their school activities in detail...what they do and why. They are very
proud.”
Rebecca of Class 3-C bragged, “At Homeroom, my mom was so surprised
when I told her what I learned, especially math - multiplication
and division!”
“During Student Led Conferences, many of our non-native speakers use
their home language to discuss their learning with their parents
or guardians. Student Led Conferences allow families to overcome
language barriers and communicate freely about their child’s learning,” said
Irene Lee, Korean Community Liaison Officer. |
