By Tanner Anderson and Payton Ryan

The Atlantic School District parent-teacher conferences were held Tuesday Oct. 22 and Thursday Oct. 24 using a new online scheduling system. The new system allowed parents/guardians to schedule an appointment in ten-minute intervals with their student’s teacher using the website appointy.com. Parents were asked to log on to schedule their appointments through the website.

In past years, a walk-in conference system was used which was on a first-come, first-serve basis. This meant parents had to wait in line to speak with a teacher. The old system is more time consuming.

Parent Jennifer Muzney said there were both pros and cons to the new system. “It is convenient to be able to talk to a teacher at your scheduled time,” she said. Even though conferences were scheduled in 10-minute intervals, Muzney felt that the time limits weren’t followed. “Some parents were having to wait too long to speak with a certain teacher, but I do like it (the new system).”

History teacher Terry Hinzmann said he wasn’t sure at first if he’d like the new system, but said it was good knowing who was coming so he was prepared with all the grades.

FCS teacher Meryl Hopper-Henningsen said she likes the new system. “But it needs some tweeking. I had some walk-ins that came in before a scheduled conference which meant those who scheduled ahead of time had to wait for the walk-in conference to finish.” She also said it would be nice if 10-minute bells were rung to signal the end of a conference. “I get to talking to someone and lose track of time.”

Science teacher Kathy Hobson said, “It needs to be one way or the other. Either everyone schedules an appointment or we continue with the walk-in method.” Hobson said, “I enjoy meeting and communicating with parents. My dislike would be the downtime.” Hobson also wanted better parent turn-out. “I only had about 30% show.”

Some teachers like it when the student comes with the parent(s). Hinzmann said, “The conference is about the student.” Hopper-Henningsen said, “The parents and the student need to be hearing the same thing at the same time from the teacher.”

Parents were also asked to fill out a short survey at the end of their conferences. According to AHS school secretary Cathy Knuth, results for the number of parents attending has not yet been tallied and the parent comments have not yet been reviewed.