8/22/05
BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN
HOME AND SCHOOL
Here's advice for
parents for back-to-school time. Is there anything more important than
understanding and appreciation between home and school, and school and home?
Whatever you can do this school year to improve in that category, do it. It's
important.
Building a Strong Bridge Between Parent and Teacher
Q.
What are some things parents can do to have a good working relationship with
teachers?
It's a lot easier in grade school, when there's only one,
or a couple. But through high school, there are certain things every parent
probably should do, and a number of things you could do, to befriend, support
and encourage a teacher. Here are some suggestions:
-- Meet the teacher and paraprofessional, ever so briefly,
at an authorized time the week before school starts. Don't just drop in,
because teachers are really busy that week getting ready for the children. You
can call ahead and make an appointment, limiting it to five minutes so that the
teacher knows it isn't going to be a Black Hole. A good school will have time
set aside for parent visits, or you can call the office and find out what time
might work. Just introduce yourself, say you want your child and that teacher
to have a great year together, you'd welcome a call or email at any time, and
you're there to help.
-- Volunteer, even if you work full-time. The teacher works
full-time, too, you know. Sign up to read to the kids for 20 minutes once a
week, if you possibly can, or to help with room parties, field trips,
straightening bookshelves, or whatever's needed. Being willing to help and
present in the classroom is a huge influence on a teacher's attitude about your
child in the early grades. In the later grades, ask for helpful things you can
do in the evenings, at home, such as collecting project supplies, collating,
stapling, preparing bulletin boards and so forth.
-- Watch how you volunteer at school. Everyone's pressed
for time, but the quality of your volunteer time should be devoted toward helping
meet the children's needs, and having contact with teachers. You might want to
pass up those very helpful, but tangential jobs, such as organizing the school
carnival or gift-wrap sale. Make it a high priority to give your time to help
with the learning process directly.
-- Communicate through notes, especially thank-you's. You'd
be surprised how boring a teacher's mail is, so a day-brightener would be much
appreciated.
-- Never miss conferences, Open House or big productions
such as concerts and science fairs. If you and your spouse really can't be
there, arrange an alternate time for a conference and send a representative,
such as a grandparent, to a special event.
-- If you have concerns or don't like the way things are
taught, hold your fire until you feel you have a pretty strong relationship
with the teacher. If you "shoot" too soon, it'll come off as an attack. Even
then, follow the 80/20 rule: make sure 80% of the teacher's contact with you is
positive, and less than 20% negative.
-- Don't try to flatter the teacher, or suck up, but
sincerely say up front, "I feel we're in this together," and "I want the best
for my child and for all children; how can I help?" It will be music to that
teacher's ears.
Homework: An
excellent guide is the book, "Helping Your Child Succeed in Public School" by
Cheri Fuller (Tyndale House, 1999).
