School/Home Partnership: Help Your Child Thrive at School

Starting a new school year can be stressful for children of all ages. Children may be nervous about their new teacher, who their friends will be or if the work will be hard. Families have to buy school supplies, adjust to a school schedule and the expectations of a new teacher. Teachers are also under a lot of stress as they get to know each child's personality and academic needs while balancing the many requirements of the school district or childcare center. Often each piece of this triangle is managing on their own; however, a partnership where each person helps and supports the other in their role has the greatest chance of success.

Teachers are under more and more pressure for children to perform well in school. This trickles down to childcare teachers who are worried that children won't arrive at kindergarten knowing the alphabet. It also trickles to the children who feel pressure to do well on End of Grade tests. This year will be an especially difficult year in our schools as teachers are faced with doing the same job in schools with significant budget cuts. This affects the supplies the school provides, class size and the availability of other support staff in the school. More than ever teachers need to know that families support them in their important job of preparing our children for the future.

Families can reach out to their children's childcare providers and classroom teachers to close the link between home and school. Some of the ways to support your children's teachers supports the whole class which in turn helps the teacher and your child. Additionally, when teachers see your commitment to helping the class, they may be more open to hearing your ideas about your child's needs. Opportunities to help your child's class include:

• Participate in your child's class: read a book, share one of your interests, something about your culture, or assist on a field trip. If you can, volunteer weekly or monthly. The teacher may ask you to monitor children on the playground, help prepare classroom materials or provide one-on-one support to students as they practice reading, math, writing, or other needed skills.
• Share a skill you have: start a garden, ask a business to make a donation, paint a mural or organize a yard sale.
• Send in a gift certificate for a school/office supply store. School budgets often get cut, leaving teachers to pay for needed materials for the class.
• Join the PTA. A parent-teacher organization promotes students' well-being through a host of projects to benefit the school and assist teachers in meeting goals.

On the individual level, you can partner with your child's teacher by making sure your child arrives at school ready to learn and participate. Steps to help prepare your child for learning include:

• Make sure your child arrives at school or child care well rested and well fed.
• Talk positively about your child's teachers in front of your child.
• Share information that will assist your provider in caring for your child (i.e. changes in your home life, experiences or developmental issues that affects the way your child learns).
• Send your child to school with any special materials requested by the teacher - whether signed forms, extra clothes or empty shoe boxes, the teacher needs these items to complete their goals.
• Participate in parent/teacher conferences. Ask for a special conference when you have concerns. It is always better to communicate early about concerns, before resentment builds. Partner with the teacher regarding your child's progress. Instead of arguing with or criticizing the teacher's assessment of your child's progress, make an appointment to discuss it and ask for ways in which you can help your child meet that grade level's learning objectives.
• Be sure to call the teacher when your child is absent to let them know your child is ill and, if appropriate, to arrange for make-up work.
• Listen to your child's frustrations with learning. School has its difficult moments and your child wants your support.

Lastly, say thank you frequently. Everyone wants to feel appreciated. You can write a note, have your child draw a picture or you can send something sweet to eat. You could also send the childcare director or principal a card praising the teacher. The efforts you make to get to know and support your child's teacher will pay off in your child's learning.

Children thrive when the adults around them have similar expectations and consistent rules. Your child will feel your partnership and reap the benefits of your teamwork. You will have a window on your child's growth - educationally and emotionally. Your child's teacher will know there are others who are helping them do their very difficult job. As you look at this new school year, ask your child's teacher, what can I do to help you in your job? Together you can start the year off right.