Parent Involvement and Good Communication with the Teacher
Your Involvement Helps Your Child Be Successful
In Ontario schools, parents are encouraged to be actively involved
in their child’s education and to establish good communication with
the teacher. Studies show that parent involvement helps your child
be more successful.
Good communication makes it easier for the teacher to understand your
child and helps you understand what is happening in school. It will make
the adjustment to a different school system as smooth as possible.
What if I Don’t Speak or Read English
There are many ways that parents can help while they are learning
English.
- Help your child organize his or her time to do homework.
- Talk to your child about what he or she learned.
- Read to your child in your first language or ask your child to
read to you.
- Involve your child in the library and other enriching community
programs.
Communicating with the Teacher
Teachers know that some parents who are learning English may find it
difficult to talk to them. They appreciate the effort you make to
talk to them about your child.
Suggestions
- Ask the school if interpreters are available
to help you talk with the teacher.
- Ask a friend or family member (not a child) to accompany
you to the school or to speak with the teacher on the
phone. Remember to arrange a time so you can be sure that the
teacher is available to talk with you.
- For phone conversations, use the Three Way Calling
(*71) feature on your phone. It allows you, the teacher
and the interpreter (or English speaking friend or family member)
to be on the phone at the same time. There is a small
charge.
For more information, see the special services section
in your telephone book.
- Write down your questions or concerns and send them
in an envelope with your child.
Contacting a Teacher
Call the school office and leave a message for the teacher. Give the
school office staff your name and number, your child’s name and
room number and the best time for the teacher to call you. Teachers
can call you during the day or in the early evening.
Confidentiality
All conversations with teachers are confidential. The teacher will
not share information about your child’s schoolwork or family situation
with other parents or community members.
School Communication with Parents
The school regularly gives information to your child to bring home,
such as notices of class and school events, newsletters, permission forms
for field trips and announcements about other important issues.
Suggestions
- Remind your child that you want to see the information
from the school.
- Ask your child to check his or her school bag for
notices or letters from the school. Children often forget.
- Create a special place in your home for school information.
- Post important notices in your home.
- Return forms as
quickly as possible with your child.
- Contact the school
office staff or the teacher, if you have a question.
Homework
Homework is one way that parents can see how their child is doing in
school. The amount of homework that is assigned will depend on your
child’s grade. All students are expected to read each night.
Your child’s teacher will explain his or her homework expectations.
Suggestions
- Set up a study area with your child that is
comfortable and away from distractions such as the TV or other
noises. Provide pens, pencils, erasers, paper and a dictionary.
- Establish a regular homework time and help your child
plan his or her work.
- Ask your child about homework assignments and when he
or she is finished, discuss the assignments.
- Encourage your child when he or she has difficulty and
always praise his or her efforts. It will help your child
feel confident.
- If the homework is too hard, takes too long, or is too
easy, contact the teacher.
- Talk regularly with your child about school work. Even
if you aren’t familiar with the topic, you can still
be an interested listener.
If Your Child has no Homework
- Ask your child to show you what he or she did during the day.
- Read to your child or have your child read to you.
- Encourage your child to do a puzzle or play a game that encourages
thinking and talking.
- Talk to the teacher if your child repeatedly has no homework.
Meet the Teacher Night
Most schools provide an opportunity for parents to meet the teacher
and learn about school programs. It may be called Meet the Teacher Night,
Curriculum Night or Open House. This usually happens at the beginning
of the school year.
Meet the Teacher Night is not the best time to discuss how your child
is doing with the teacher, but you may make an appointment or arrange
a phone call with the teacher, if you have a concern.
Suggestions
- Tell the teacher that you would appreciate
a phone call if he or she has any concerns about your child
or if your child has any special accomplishments.
- Walk around the school. Visit the school library and
gym. It will help you talk with your child about their gym and
library
activities.
Meet the Teacher Night Presentation
There will be a presentation on:
- what students will be learning,
- special classroom projects or events,
- the homework expectations,
- the key rules of behaviour for students, and
- how you can help your child at home.
Solving Problems
Talk to your child’s teacher when you have a suggestion or a concern
about your child. If your child is having a conflict with another child,
speak to the teacher.
Where possible, the school encourages and assists students to solve
their own problems, but there are times when parents should get involved.
Suggestions
- Ask your child questions to help you gather
information.
- Explain to the teacher what your child has told you
and how he or she feels. Tell the teacher what you did to help
your child solve the problem.
- Listen to the teacher’s point of view and ask
what the teacher would do at school. Consider if it would work
at
home.
- Develop a plan for what you and the teacher will do
so your child gets the same message from you and the teacher.
- Agree to talk again to see if the solution is working
- Talk to the principal if the problem isn’t resolved.
If the problem isn’t resolved by the Principal, speak to
the School Superintendent. The school office will have the Superintendent’s
phone number.
Help Your Child Try to Solve Problems Independently
There will be a presentation on:
- Encourage your child to speak to the teacher about the
problem.
- Help your child practise explaining the problem.
- Remind your child that school rules do not allow fighting or harsh language
to solve problems.
- Reassure your child that you will get involved if the problem isn’t
resolved.
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