Conference Days (March 11 and 12) are scheduled so that parents may meet with teachers to learn about their children's progress in school. Please plan to attend on these days, at the hour assigned, unless you have traded times with another family and notified the teachers. PLEASE DO NOT PLAN VACATIONS OVER THESE DAYS. The School cannot guarantee that missed conferences can be made up at other times. The After School Program will be open both days from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Student Led Conferences: In the spring of 2009, upper grade students achieved a new level of educational independence by taking a leadership role in parent conferences.  In preparation for what we now call student-led conferences, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders work with their teacher advisors to set goals, reflect on their learning strengths and weaknesses, evaluate their own behavior, and select academic work for a portfolio designed to illustrate their learning profile.    At conference time, the meeting agenda is set by the student, who then guides his or her parents and teachers through an in-depth and thoughtful discussion of the student's academic progress.  In the traditional parent-teacher conference model, the individual with the biggest stake in the conversation is the one person not present at the discussion. During a student-led conference, adults and children determine next steps and, when necessary, rework student goals.

Read more about how Capitol Hill Day School fosters educational independence in the Fall/Winter 2009 Windowpane article by Linda DeGraf and Jason Gray entitled “Reading, Writing, and…Responsibility: How CHDS Teaches Students to 'Own' Their Learning.” You should have received the Windowpane by mail. You may also find the Windowpane on the School's website: http://www.chds.org/template/page.cfm?id=18.

Attention Parents of 7^th and 8^th Graders! Would your children like to earn $20.00 by assisting on parent/teacher conference days, March 11 and 12? They would be responsible for opening the front door and greeting parents as they arrive for their conferences. There are opportunities to work from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from noon to 4:00 p.m. on those two days. Eighth graders have first priority to sign up before Tuesday, March 9. Seventh graders may sign up for any remaining openings after that date. Please see Jason Gray for more information or to sign up.

ASP Conference Camp: The After School Program will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on both conference days, and they have planned a number of field trips. Please complete and return the ASP Conference Camp registration form by March 5 if you would like to reserve a spot for your child. Please note that a waiver is required for all Bunnies and Juniors who want to go on the March 11 field trip to Place to Play Fun Center. ASP is not available on a drop in basis on conference days.