This fall, three elementary schools in the Sheboygan Area School District piloted a new way to start the school year. Teachers at James Madison, Sheridan, and Cleveland Elementary Schools used the traditional first day of school to hold individual meetings with each student and their family. These meetings are called Great Start Conferences, and the idea is to start the school year off with a strong connection between the teacher and family and establish early open communication. This connection helps to promote positive school and home interactions throughout the school year.

During the Great Start Conference, teachers provided academic information and outlined how families would receive communication throughout the school year. Students also benefited from getting to meet their teacher one-on-one before the first day of school.

Great Start Conferences are an alternative to a meet and greet event or a school supply drop-off prior to school starting. These types of events can make it difficult for teachers to connect with every student and family.

Charity Cartland, who is the Principal at James Madison Elementary School, proposed the idea last spring after reviewing her school’s family survey results last school year. The survey data showed that families were looking for more feedback on their child’s learning. Cartland saw this as an opportunity to try a new approach to the traditional back-to-school routine.

After a full day of Great Start Conferences on Tuesday, Cartland reflected, "It was wonderful to welcome our families in this individualized, specific way to the start of a new school year. Teachers were able to pass along important information about how parents/guardians can stay up to date on their student's learning throughout the year, students were able to drop off supplies and get their work areas set up, and each student and family was able to make a personal connection to their student's teacher. The stage is set to have a wonderful year working together!"

As an added bonus, each student who attended a Great Start Conference was given a book ticket and could pick out a brand new book to take home to encourage reading.