Building Bridges Between School and Home - Center for Literacy ...

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Appendix IIWorking With Teachers and SchoolsParents provide the primary support for, andare the main source of information about,their children. It’s the responsibility of bothteachers and parents to help students succeed. Followingare some tips for working with your child’steachers and other school staff.• Learn everything you can about your child’sschool. The more you know, the easier your jobas a parent will be. Be sure to read and discuss thestudent handbook with your child.• Access the school Web site. Information aboutschedules of events, names of people to contact,rules and regulations is provided.http://lcss.us/schools/ISES/• If your schedule permits, attend PTO meetings.Parent Guide• Talk with your child’s teacher early and often.Get acquainted and show your interest.• If you notice a big change in your child’s behavior,school performance, or attitude during theschool year, contact the teacher immediately.• If you notice your child is having trouble witha school subject, contact the teacher to find outhow you can help.• Don’t go to the principal without first givingthe teacher a chance to work out the problemwith you and your child.• If you disagree with a decision at school concerningyour child, do not “bad mouth” theschool in front of your child. Talk with the properpeople at school immediately, and be open andhonest.Conferences can be a good opportunity toshare information about your child. Followingare some tips for successful parentteacherconferences.• Believe that the teacher wants to help you andyour child, even if you disagree about something.• Be prepared to listen as well as to talk. It helpsto write down ahead of time what you want todiscuss with the teacher.• If you don’t understand something the teacheris saying, tell him/her.• If English is your second language, you mayneed to make special arrangements, such asincluding in the meeting someone who is bilingual.• Tell the teacher if you think your child needsParent-Teacher Conferencesspecial help, and about any special family situationor event that might affect your child’s abilityto learn.• Talk about your child’s talents, skills, hobbies,study habits and any special concerns, such assensitivities about weight or speech difficulties.• Ask about specific ways to help your child athome.• If you don’t agree with a teacher’s policy, don’targue with the teacher in front of your child.Set up a meeting to talk about the issue. Try tobe positive and remain calm.• If at all possible, do not bring other children tothe conference.• If both parents are involved in the child’s life,both should make arrangements to attend. Itwill send a loud and strong message to the childconcerning the importance of school.BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN SCHOOL AND HOME: STORIES OF SUCCESS FROM LAWRENCE COUNTY, TENNESSEE16
Working With Teachers and SchoolsHelping Your Child Prepare for TestsTesting comes easily for some students butworries others. There are ways to help yourchild prepare for tests.• Talk to your child about testing. It’s helpful forchildren to understand why schools give testsand to know the different kinds of tests they willtake.• Encourage your child. Praise your child for thethings that he/she does well. Feeling good aboutoneself will help in taking the test. Children whoare afraid of failing are more likely to becomeanxious and make mistakes.• Attend school events. Go to sports events andmusical programs, attend parent meetings andawards events.• If time permits, volunteer. Look for ways to helpout at your child’s school.Let your child know that you think educationis important and so homework has to bedone. Here are some ways to help your childwith homework:• Have a special place for you child to study. Onethat is fairly quiet and has good lighting will servewell.• Set a regular time for homework.Most Importantly, Stay Involved!Homework• Make sure that your child attends school regularly.• Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studyingat home and make sure that your child is wellrested on school days and especially on the dayof a test.• Don’t get upset because of a single test score.• Don’t place so much emphasis on your child’stest score that you lose sight of her well-being.Too much pressure can affect test performance.• You can help your child learn when you are athome. Reinforce and extend what the school isdoing.• Remove distractions. Turn off the TV and discouragephone calls.• Don’t expect or demand perfection. Show interestand praise when work is done well. If youhave criticisms or suggestions, make them in ahelpful way.• Monitor and help your child understand homeworkassignments, but don’t do it for him/her.BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN SCHOOL AND HOME: STORIES OF SUCCESS FROM LAWRENCE COUNTY, TENNESSEE17
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