By Dr. D. Jackson Maxwell
We are now three-fourths of the way through the school year. We as parents have begun to forget to ask our children how school day went and what homework is due tomorrow. Often, we become complacent, and our kids move-on to playing video games or hanging out with friends rather than giving school the attention it needs. Also, with the summer vacation just around the corner, our thoughts increasingly turn to upcoming travels and anticipated fun. Sound familiar? This is the time when studies can take a backseat and grades begin to slip.
Parents need to be proactive to prevent an end-year slump. We need to make sure the lines of communication between home and school remain open and active. We need to regularly check our children’s assignments and assessment scores via teachers’ websites and PowerSchool as well as weekly folders. These will help us to monitor children’s progress. Additionally, check the school and district calendars to know when final progress reports will be issued and when TNReady and other tests are to be administered.
While these suggestions sound like common sense, I am always amazed to find how many parents are caught off-guard concerning incomplete homework assignments, poor test scores, and unfinished or weak efforts on projects. To be fair — even being a teacher and knowing better — I have found myself in this same unpleasant position of being surprised by some of my children’s grades around this time of year. As parents, we need to remain vigilant for the long-term good of our kids. Beyond this, as parents and citizens it is our duty to society to raise well educated, responsible children.
At this juncture in the school year, parents need to make sure children still have needed supplies. Do they have paper, notebooks, pencils, folders, and other materials or do these need to be replenished? This can be ascertained with a quick email to your child’s teacher. I would also recommend a backpack check to see what supplies your child has left. From my experience, while you have the backpack open, check on what is in there. Are there old papers that can be discarded, completed workbooks, or unsigned teacher correspondence? Do relevant papers and study materials need to be organized? Are there similar housekeeping chores that need to be taken care of?
Next, it is critical that parents be involved in our child’s school. Make sure to attend parent-teacher conferences. In this way, you not only get a fuller understanding of your child’s in-class performance but you get the chance to develop a personal relationship with the professional educating your child. By attending school events and honor programs, you show your child that you place value in their school activities and education in general. Being proactive such as joining the parent-teacher organization, collecting box-tops for education, and volunteering your time benefits not only your child but the school as a whole. In short, it is important to be an ongoing advocate for education.
What does this level of advocacy look like? It can come in many forms. You may work a booth at the school carnival or help children select books at the school book fair. You may be able to tutor a student in need of remedial instruction or share your life experiences at a career day. By choosing to read a book to your child’s class, you demonstrate not only to your child but other students your commitment to their education. Be a part of the parent-teacher organization to the point of joining committees, helping with fundraisers, and making community-school connections. Use your time and networks to benefit your child’s teachers.
By being active, engaged parents, we can head off many potential misunderstandings, surprises, and problems before they occur. Through being connected, if an academic or behavioral issue appears, it can be addressed immediately. By being involved, we have firsthand knowledge of our child’s teachers, the school governance, and the daily routine. Additionally, by being present and seen, you show your child and other students that you value their teacher, the instruction they are receiving, and education in general. Finally, by being politically knowledgeable of federal, state, and local elections you can positively impact schools by voting for candidates who support your views on education. These few actions will ensure children remain on track to succeed for the rest of this school year and to prepare a path for success in school for years to come.
Dr. D. Jackson Maxwell is a National Board Certified educator at Grahamwood Elementary with 30 years of educational experience. Please forward questions or comments to: djacksonmaxwell@gmail.com.
