By: Tarryn Hiett & Jasmine De Meza

Nov 17th, 2017

Every year Phoenix High School has 2 special days set aside to benefit the students to help them succeed, these are student led conferences. A student led conference is when students and their parents come to check in and examine the student’s progress, as well as ways to help the student on their path to graduation. This is a conference between the student and their parents discussing each class, what they are struggling with and what they feel they are doing well in. This is also an opportunity to take your parents around to meet and privately talk to your teachers and show your parents what you do 5 days a week.

For the first time ever, Phoenix High School is holding student led conferences for Freshman students. This means that it is mandatory for Freshman as well as their parents to attend conferences in the fall instead of in the spring.

The fall conferences are mandatory for seniors to graduate and it is highly encouraged that sophomores, and juniors drop in as well. Conferences are November 21 right after school to 8 pm and on the 22 from 8 am to 12 pm. If the students or parents are interested in coming by, they are advised to check in with their advisory teacher. Sophomores, and Juniors shouldn’t think they get off the hook for conferences, because in April they will get the privilege of having a conference. These conferences will be mandatory for Juniors and sophomores and optional for Seniors. If you miss your appointment, the school will continue to reschedule until you show up.

The point of doing conferences for the seniors so early in the year is to help the seniors make sure that they are in a good place to finish out high school strong and graduate. Not only are the conferences required by the State of Oregon, but it is also an opportunity for parents to get involved. The state requires that every parent steps foot into the school at least once sometime in the school year.

Mr. Rodreick, one of Phoenix High Schools teachers, explained that there are positive benefits of Student led conferences. He said that “Student led conferences are a chance for students, teachers and parents to to meet and discuss the student’s progress in a situation that is different from the hustle and bustle of a normal day. It is an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often.” Mr. Rodreick was also asked if he felt that all grades should come to conferences in the fall, or just seniors. He said, “It is a good idea for seniors to have conferences at the beginning of the year to help make sure that they are on the right track to graduate. Having conferences later in the year for everyone else is beneficial, because the students are able to to reflect on what has happened and the grades that they had received…”

Although student led conferences feel like a waste of time to the students, they are really important. There purpose is to help you succeed as well as get your family involved. Surely your teachers will have a warming welcome, but it is up to you to blow away your parents.