Shevaun is still at the helm, sharing more Back to School tips to all those who want to see our children do well in school this year.
Back to School Night is an event that allows parents to come in and meet their child’s teacher. Typically, the teacher provides a tour of your child’s classroom, provides an overview of your child’s curriculum and key events, and discusses the expectations and responsibilities of your child’s grade and classroom.
But in addition to hearing some of the logistical information, attending your child’s Back to School Night has some additional benefits:
1. Your attendance initiates the partnership between home & school.
2. Attending this event demonstrates to both the student and school personnel that you are interested in your child’s education. Your absence is a statement to the teacher that my child’s education is not a top priority to me.
3. You get the opportunity to meet the person that will be responsible for your child for 7 hours a day, 180-185 days per year!
Please don’t underestimate the power of your presence at these events. This is ESPECIALLY TRUE for our minority students. A very strong and negative message is sent to our children’s’ teachers when parents don’t think enough to come.
If it is IMPOSSIBLE for you to attend, I would strongly recommend that you have someone else (family member, church member, etc.) attend on your behalf. Again, our child’s teacher needs to know that there is someone who has a strong interest in their academic success.
If we don’t care about our children's success in the classroom, why should the teacher?
3 comments:
Great Advice. Here's something I would also recommend...
To those who know of others (single parents, individuals that work nights) that CANNOT attend their child's Back to School night, volunteer to stand in for the parent. Also, mention this to your church, mosque, fraternity, community organization, etc. Others may want to volunteer to do the same thing.
I agree the advice is great and if we would prioritize our schedules and make our kids school time a more important event… which means attending PARENT NIGHTS.
I have also found the most powerful word to use is NO when trying to free up some schedule time!
CC
As an elementary educator, I am often astonished when I go for an entire year and have not seen the parent of a young child. I teach 5th grade and studies show (I did the research on parental involvement for my Masters Degree) that past 6th grade or so...parents are less and less involved. Fifth graders are still transition from the early elementary years and the "hand holding" that goes on. Two key words here...accountability and responsibility! Parents, step up to the plate. It all begins at home!
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