 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
SCHOOL
SUCCESS TAKES TEAMWORK: GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START The teachers in this area go back to work in the next few days, to be involved in meetings, attend in-service workshops, organize their rooms and materials, and get ready to teach your children. They are transitioning from the summer break to a new school year … and we parents should be, too. But even before we drive to school that first morning, wrestle with that first math assignment or attend that first football game, we should make a commitment to our children’s school achievement this year and we should be sure we transmit that to them. By our words and our actions, we must convey our own value that a solid education is vital. We need to say, out loud, “A good education is extremely important to your future.” And we must back up our statements by insisting our children attend school every day possible, by making sure our children have and use study time each day, by not keeping our children out late for social events on weeknights, and by being there to supervise and support the homework process. The
students in our area will be back in class next week. To get
our children ready, we should: Once
the school bell has rung in 2004-05, we parents should make
every effort to attend the open houses offered at our children’s
schools. By so doing, we’ll be able to learn about their
school and their classrooms, meet their teachers, and hear
a bit about what they’ll be studying. This is an excellent
time for us to set a positive tone with our children’s
teachers, setting the stage for constructive teamwork. It’s
much better to be on friendly, positive terms right from the
beginning, especially if problems arise later. Parents and
teachers, as well as the students, are much more likely to
function effectively as a team with the students’ best
interest at heart if we have already bonded as partners in
their education. We parents are our children’s most powerful advocates and it is critical that we not expect anyone else to do it for us. Usually important information such as health issues, medications, custody arrangements, difficult circumstances such as a child who is grieving over the loss of a loved one, and so forth is shared in each child’s cumulative folder or between last year’s and this year’s teachers, but, unfortunately, sometimes details may fall through the cracks. So, it is up to us parents to be sure the teachers have been made aware of any special information. Lastly, we parents should look for ways we can be involved with our children’s schools. Not only does parent participation strengthen the school as a whole, but it has been proven that our own children personally benefit from our connection. They profit by the example we set and the proof we give that their school is important. Some parents are able to come to the school during the day to assist in classrooms or to chaperone field trips. Many of us are not able to do that because of work or family commitments, but we can still be involved. We can help in the evenings or on weekends by making items for teachers to use in their lessons or on bulletin boards, by making food for parties, gathering information or making exhibits to supplement units the students are studying, by serving on the landscape or beautification committees, or by assisting with “one-shot-deals” like the Science Fair, Young Author’s Day, Odyssey of the Mind, or Field Day. Look around. Ask around. You’re bound to find out something that needs doing. Of course, we should all make a point of joining and being as active as possible in PTA. It’s a new year. It’s another step in our children’s growth. Let’s be ready. Let’s do it right. Let’s do it together. Let’s actively join our children’s education teams because… school success takes teamwork! |
