A Sad Reality

So, I ended up missing Wednesday evening's conferences because Tuesday night I came down with the flu...surprise!
On Thursday, I was feeling a little better, so I forced myself to go to school. I barely made it through the day, but finally the reason for my attendance came...the second round of conferences. Sadly, the parents of students who desperately needed conferences did not show up. Almost every single student who is terribly struggling and could really use more help at home had no one come...and there was not even a single call for cancellation. Just no-shows.

How sad. I mean, I understand that parents have to work and take care of their families, and have a hard time making room in their schedule but they CHOSE these times. They were not just randomly assigned. Parents were given total freedom in choosing any time they would like...and they all signed up. It is just incredibly frustrating to see these kids being left to struggle...while the parents of the students who are doing well show up. My cooperating teacher and I, along with 4 other pull-out teachers, are doing everything we can to help the strugglers...but there is only so much time we have with them.

I just wish there was some way to get these parents more involved. Unfortunately, I am coming to realize that this is something I am going to face for the rest of my career.