All Posts Tagged With: "parent involvement"
Check in with your child’s teacher before the end of the year
In the rush of activities during the final days of the school year, it’s smart to take time to talk to your child’s teacher(s) about your child’s progress. Reports cards can only tell you so much. Here are some key questions to ask:
1. What were my child’s strengths and weaknesses?
2. Is there anything we should [...]
8Jun2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
You know you’re a diehard parent volunteer when…
Thank goodness for dedicated parent volunteers! Our kids and their schools need them now more than ever. To mark the end of the school year, here is something I wrote for parents who give their time and talents to their children’s schools.
By Ruth McKinnie Braun
You know you’re a diehard parent volunteer when you know [...]
29May2009 | | 3 comments | Continued
Parent volunteers don’t have more time, they make time
I got home from one of my daughter’s swim meets not long ago with a very sore back. I offered to head up the snack booth at the team’s home meets, and I was tired from lugging water, Gatorade, ice and healthy and not-so-healthy snacks back and forth.
I took some Motrin, settled on the couch [...]
26May2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
Tips for helping a struggling reader become a strong reader
Children who are struggling with their reading need a patient, encouraging adult to sit and listen to them read. These tips can help you help your child become a strong reader.
These tips come from Everyone A Reader, a volunteer program in San Diego County that has trained thousands of tutors at approximately 150 schools.
PREPARE
Take [...]
14May2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
What teachers appreciate about their students’ parents
This is the time of year when parents take time to show their appreciation for their children’s teachers. I thought it would be interesting to ask some award-winning teachers to tell us what they appreciate about parents.
I turned to three recently named teachers of the year from the Poway Unified School District, easily considered one [...]
7May2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
Gallup Student Poll: 1 in 4 children are hopeful, engaged and thriving
The first ever Gallup Student Poll offers fascinating findings certain to give parents and educators food for thought. And maybe the results will prompt some thoughtful conversations around the dinner table.
The poll, described as giving students a much-needed voice in America’s discussion about high school dropout prevention and college readiness, included slightly more [...]
6May2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
Book exchanges: A great way to get free books into kids’ hands
Smart parents know smart kids need to be strong readers. We also know we’re trying to save money where we can.
Here’s a great (environmentally friendly) idea for getting books into the hands of our kids for no money: Organize a book exchange.
Parent Randi Hock organizes an annual book exchange at Solana Vista Elementary School, [...]
22Apr2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
Five Smart Reasons Why Parents should volunteer at School
Help Wanted: PTA volunteers for next year
Signs like that are sprouting up like spring flowers at schools all around the country. Email blasts are hitting mailboxes, phone calls are going out and some of you may even be approached as you walk across campus. This is the time of year for PTAs, PTOs, PTSAs, foundations [...]
20Mar2009 | | 1 comment | Continued
Tip of the Week: Visit your school Web site frequently
We all have our Internet habits. My son checks his Protrade account before he heads to school. My husband checks local news sites before he leaves for the office. As for me, I look at the Web sites of my children’s schools every morning.
I’ve saved them as favorites and take a few minutes to scan the home page and daily bulletin, the same one that’s supposed to be read to students in class. It’s a great way to stay in touch.
Many elementary schools send home weekly envelopes filled with useful and not so useful information, but an increasing 11Feb2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
If the report card raised a red flag, here are some smart suggestions
There are few parents among us who have not been here before: The report card or progress report our child just brought home from school isn’t as strong as we’d like it to be. What’s a smart parent to do?
Cry? Scream? Scratch your head? Pretend there isn’t a problem? Or work with your child and your child’s teacher to get back on track? I prefer the last option, and I’m sure you do, too.
Here are some terrific suggestions from Jeana Preston, program director of the California Parent Center to help your child regain his footing. The center helps schools and
4Feb2009 | | 0 comments | Continued
