PierceMiddle School

Parent Teacher Conferences

October 31, 2013

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We look forward to seeing you at Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, November 7, 2013. This is an opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teachers to review his or her progress. We strive to offer a productive evening, by offering tutorials, providing information about technology, upcoming events and more.

This year we will schedule conferences through PTC Wizard, a web-based scheduling program. We believe this will simplify the scheduling process for you, and reduce wait time during conferences.

Please read the following information carefully so you are aware of the details pertaining to this new system.

  • We encourage you to register online, however you may register for conferences by returning the attached form
  • Core teachers will hold conferences in their classrooms, and elective (A & E) teachers will be in the cafeteria
  • You may choose the teachers you would like to see and pick the order in which to see them
  • Conferences are scheduled for 5 minute time-slots for each teacher
  • You must include 5 minutes between each conference for “travel time”
  • There arelimited number of appointments available for each teacher – so register early
  • It is important that the time limit is adhered to – you may contact teachers via phone or email if you have additional questions or concerns
  • If the appointments for a teacher you would like to see are filled, you may contact teachers via phone or email

Below are teacher names and teams they are on to make scheduling easier:

  • Course
/ Sixth Grade Team A / Sixth Grade Team B / Seventh Team A / Seventh Team B
Language Arts / Mr. Latour ** / Mrs. Duperron / Mrs. Beattie / Ms. Reed
Math / Mrs. Zolynsky / Mrs. Gonzalez / Mr. Chirgwin / Mr. Gonzalez
Science / Mrs. Workman * / Mr. Roth / Ms. Dudek * / Mr. deMauriac
Social Studies / Mrs. Doherty / Mrs. Gach / Mr. Edwards / Mr. Gulick
TC / Mrs. Papas / Ms. Lewis / Mrs. VanBuskirk / Mrs. Drotos
Course / Eighth Grade Team A / Eighth Grade Team B / PAI / Grades
Language Arts / Mr. Triolet / Mrs. Denton / Mrs. Ponder / Sixth
Math / Mr. Dyer / Mrs. Wilson / Mrs. Kuksa / Seventh
Science / Mrs. Trost / Mr. Bacolor * / Mrs. Kus / Eighth
Social Studies / Mrs. Pendergrass / Mr. Buehner
TC / Mrs. Coon / Mrs. Daye
Course / Teacher / Course / Teacher
AR Math / Ms. Popovski / Band / Mr. Lucius
AR Writing / Mrs. Schnuell-Ruth / Band / Mrs. Williams
Reading / Mrs. Beydoun / Gym / Mr. Houttekier
Transitions / Mrs. Ostdiek / Gym / Ms. Schwemmin
Technology / Mack/Hubbard/Marquez / Spanish / Mrs. Wells
Technology / Mr. Bates / Art / Mr. Hullinger

(*) Indicates teacher(s) will not be available for conferences due to Professional Development obligations

(**) Indicates teacher will not be available after 5:30 to schedule a conference

Directions for scheduling your conferences:

  • The PTC Wizard system will be open to schedule conferences from November 1, 2013 at 7a.m. through November 7, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.
  • The first time you log in you have to register (this will allow you to register quickly for future conferences)
  • Log in to
  • Please feel free to use the website below to download the following documentation that helps explain the PTC Wizard process for parents

Family activities during conferences:

  • Parent Connect, Compass, Renaissance Learning & online math books and technology support for parents in 3A
  • Scholastic Book Fair in the Media Center
  • Thurston administrators and teachers will present information regarding Thurston High School
  • Watchdog sign-up and information
  • Parent survey
  • PTO information
  • Pierce spirit wear will be on sale

Mr. Houttekier and Mrs. Beydoun will be cooking something for you to snack on in the cafeteria during conferences. They will be serving:

  • Vegetables from the Pierce garden.
  • Cabbage rolls that are stuffed with eggplant, onions, rice, ground chick peas, tofu and spices. Eggplant and cabbage from the garden make this dish a refreshing delight.
  • Roasted pork roast with a fall chutney.
  • This pork roast is brined for 24 hours to add a flavor factor that will bring you back for seconds. Fall chutney is added for a perfect side compliment.

Recycling and Donations:

A collection station will be set up in the front hallway by the main office for recyclable and reusable items. We are expanding our efforts to make Pierce a greener place. Below are the only items we are accepting:

  • Batteries, cell phones, compact disks, digital video disk and plastic grocery bags
  • We are also collecting new hats, gloves/mittens, jackets, scarves and new or gently used coats
  • All items will be donated to Mittens for Michigan Kids.

Pierce is always accepting donations of tissue, Lysol wipes and school supplies. Please drop these items off in the Front Office.

Thank you,

Pierce Middle School Staff

Sign-Up sheet for Parents with

No Computer Access

November 7, 2013

Parents who don’t have computer access:

  • Please complete form below completely
  • Return to back to school by Monday November 4
  • You will be given any available time between 3:30- 5:30 or 6:30-8:30 (if you choose this option the school will assign conference times for you during the time frame you selected).

Student’s Name: ______

Parent Name: ______

Phone Number: ______

Email Address: ______

Teacher(s) you would like to schedule a conference with:

Please check time frame you would like:

3:30-5:30______

6:30- 8:30 ______

Please check how you want your confirmation sent to you:

Email______

Sent home with your child ______