With teachers gathered in Gym A and parents filing in, Parent-Teacher Conferences began. Beginning at 3:30 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m., they were held on Oct. 22-23.  For many parents, going to conferences are a priority.

“My parents go to conferences,” junior Sana Cheema said. “They want to know what my teachers think of me and hear about my progress in the classrooms rather than look at my grades online.”

Sophomore Joseph Steckline’s parents also go to conferences to hear about his progress in school.

“I know that my mom goes to the conferences,” Steckline said. “But I never hear anything about it.”

Curious to know what her parents and teachers discuss, junior Jessie Carmichael usually asks her mom how conferences went.

“My mom won’t tell me what she and my teachers talk about unless there is a drastic change in my behavior or grades,” Carmichael said. “But I ask her anyway.”

Attending conferences is difficult for freshman Matthew Owens.

“My parents live in Texas,” Owens said. “If my parents were with me, I’m sure they would attend conferences. Right now I live with my uncle and aunt and I don’t have a clue whether they go or not.”

For other student’s parents, attending conferences isn’t a main concern.

“My parents don’t go to conferences anymore,” sophomore Max Stieben said. “I have an older brother who has already gone through most of the same classes I am in. My parents went for him and now that they know the teachers, they don’t go for mine.”

13aarthur@usd489.com