SCHOOL FOR THOUGHT

Tips for Parents

Yesterday, I came across this article about a new book for parents written by two former teachers.  Meet the Teacher: How to Help Your Child Navigate School is billed as a guide book for parents.  From what I can gather from the article it is full of do’s and don’ts for parental behavior when it comes to interacting with your child’s school. Most of them seem to be common sense courtesies that apply when dealing with just about anybody.  No one could disagree with them and I suggest that parents do take them to heart.  Some examples:

• Talk with the teacher early in the year. Share information that will help them get to know your child, including their interests and learning style. Always let them know about an illness, new baby or other changes affecting a student.
• Feel free to suggest strategies, such as having an overactive child take attendance to the office or ensuring they get daily physical activity (DPA).
• Don’t criticize the teacher in front of your child.
• Ask about school policy on email correspondence. Some schools, boards and unions discourage it and want communication only through written notes, telephone or in person.
• Attend parent-teacher interviews even if your child is doing well. This sends the message that school is important and establishes a rapport with the teacher.
• If you have major concerns, don’t wait until the 10-minute teacher interview to raise them.
• Don’t call a teacher at home or show up unannounced and angry at 8:30 a.m. expecting a meeting.
• Consult the teacher when problems may be brewing rather than waiting for them to explode. Be involved in planning a solution.
• Take up concerns with the teacher first, before going above his or her head to a vice-principal or board superintendent.
• Before interfering with class placement, find out whether the school invites parental input, and keep in mind many factors go into the decisions

The book also has information on how to deal with bullying and peer pressure, different ways that children learn, reading to your child, interpreting report cards, and legal, medical and special education issues.

However, at a cost of $20 (plus tax!) for the book, you just might want to save your money.  A logical follow-up to “Meet the Teacher” is Malkin Dare’s updated, How To Get the Right Education For Your Child.  It is a realistic guide for parents who have done all those “right” things listed above and whose kids are still not getting the education they need. It’s free and can be downloaded from our website.  SQE will even send you a free copy upon request.  Now that’s a good tip.