Region 15 Elementary School Students Gather with Parents and Guardians for a “Celebration of Learning”

 In May of each school year, Region 15 elementary school students gather with parents and guardians in the classroom for a “Celebration of Learning”. 

“These are student celebrations that focus on each child’s accomplishments, bringing the students, parents and teachers together to celebrate the child’s effort over the year,” explained Pomperaug Elementary School Principal, Carissa Keepin.

Unlike the parent/teacher conferences held in November, Celebration of Learning provides the student with an active role in sharing their work with a parent or guardian.  “In Region 15, we feel that the act of looking at and discussing student work is a powerful assessment and learning experience for our students,” said Mrs. Keepin.

According to Long Meadow Elementary School Principal, Richard Gusenburg, Celebration of Learning was established in the region several years ago when the decision was made to cut back from 4 report cards per year to 3 at the elementary level. 

Aware of their value, it was decided to implement another set of conferences in the spring.  Several administrators had learned about “student-led conferences”, and Celebration of Learning was born.

The event is held on two early school dismissal days, with each afternoon divided into two 45 minute sessions of celebration.  It is not a time to review grades or discuss academic questions or concerns. 

At every grade level, students and teachers work together before the conference to develop a written guide.  The students are then responsible for leading the parent or guardian through the process. 

At most grade levels, more than one conference may be taking place at the same time.  The classroom teacher will move among families spending individual time with each one.  At this point, the parent, student and teacher acknowledge areas of special achievement, identify areas that still need work and establish goals for continued growth. 

“We try to give parents a little taste of other subject areas but the main focus is on a student’s writing portfolio,” said Gainfield Elementary School fourth grade teacher, Sarah Walkup.           

Students discuss their writing pieces and share those that show the most growth or are personal favorites.  In this way, parents are introduced to curriculum and to instructional and assessment tools, such as the 6 Traits, which is a framework that outlines the qualities or traits evident in all  "good" writing. The 6 Traits which represent the cornerstone of quality writing are Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, and Presentation.    

“As parents look at the different pieces, we hope they see evidence of these traits in their child’s work,” said Mrs. Walkup.  “As students talk to parents, they have the wonderful opportunity to self reflect and self assess as parents ask them questions about their writing and other work.”    

 “I appreciate the opportunity to spend time with my daughter and enjoy her exuberance as she shares her work,” said Mary Beth Mayer, the mother of a Gainfield Elementary School fourth grader.  “Students set such lofty goals for themselves and it’s remarkable to see their growth from the beginning to the end of the school year.”