Crash Into Me

PT

Does anyone that went to a public (or private, I suppose) school remember parent-teacher conferences? My students and I are getting fall break Wednesday through Friday of this week, but before I do, I have to be here for NINE HOURS (last night 5-8 and today 1-4 and 5-8 on a half day for the students) for parent teacher conferences. And I just don't remember having those in high school. Maybe it's been too long and I'm getting old, I dunno. I certainly remember having them in like grade school. But it seems a bit ridiculous to have nine hours where we just sit and wait and talk, especially in an age of email, online grades, phone calls, etc. Can't they just get their grades, and talk to me if they need to? Schedule it for crying out loud, don't require me to put in a 13 hour day (5 of which I get no pay for) just to satisfy the needs of the good parents. The parents that really need to be here don't even show! I mean, even if my memory is foggy and we really did have Parent-Teacher conferences when I was in high school, mine would have been pointless. Dad: "Is Josh still getting straight A's?" Teacher: "Yep!" Dad: "Great! See you later!" Isn't this something that should be scheduled on a need/want basis? I'm not a school administrator, and I never will be, this just seems like another in a long line of potshots at people that get underpaid anyway. Correct me if I'm wrong. Please.