Education Connection

ARE YOU AND YOUR CHILD PREPARED FOR SCHOOL?

Teachers expect you to send your child to school ready to learn. In addition to proper rest and nutrition, teachers recommend that you:

• Communicate positively about school and learning. Remember, you set the example for communicating the value of learning.
  
  

  Everyone in your child's life — you, child care workers, grandparents, and neighbors— should all speak positively about learning.

  • If you think school is the child's most important job, so will your child.
  • If you set aside a place and time to study, your child will understand the importance you place on learning.
  • If you expect your child to do well, try hard and finish what is started, then with your support, your child will.
  • If you ask questions about school, your child will know you care about the day's events.
  • If you continue to learn new skills, read, and take classes, your child will see that education is a life-long process.

• Find out what is taught in the classroom. What books are used? What subjects are covered? How are grades determined? What are the classroom and school policies? You'll find some of this information at an open house or curriculum night, or you can make a conference appointment with the teacher. Some teachers and schools provide this information in writing.
• Ask the teacher how you can help your child at home with school work.
  Each teacher will have his/her own specific ideas.
• Tell the teacher how to reach you — whether it's best to call you at work or at home, or at certain times of the day.
  If you are out of town (a non-custodial or a traveling parent), ask the teacher how you can be kept informed about your child's progress. Find out when you can call the teacher. Many teachers have preparation periods or conference times when you can call or get together.
• Call or write the teacher if your child has special needs, such as learning disability, a hearing loss, or special health concerns.
  Although this information may be in the school records, it may not have reached the teacher.
• Attend all of the scheduled parent/teacher conferences, and at least one other school function during the year to show your support for your child's education. (i.e. concert, open house, family event, field trip, drama production).
• Help your child with choices about how to spend time after school.
  Teachers report that many students are "overbooked" in activities, lessons and after-school jobs and sports, particularly middle and high school students.
  Parents and students can explore together the many opportunities and activities available before, during, and after school, so that your child has a reasonable balance of activities. Help your child make choices. Teachers recommend no more than two sports per year, and one extra-curricular class or lesson each week. Remember, the amount of time a student spends on homework is directly related to grades on report cards.

• Limit work:
  Most states regulate the number of hours teens can work and the kind of work they can pursue. In order to maintain good grades, students should probably work no more than 20 hours per week.

• Pursue more education:
  Students need your encouragement to pursue their education beyond high school. You can find out more about choices for education and financial aid through your local library or the high school counselor. Your child needs a partner in this maze of choices.