Tips for Parents

• Support your school, visit it often, and look for the following:
  ?A school climate that is welcoming to students, staff, parents, and community members.
  ?School services that address the needs of the whole child-emotional, intellectual, physical, and social.
  ?A governance structure that includes parents on decision-making committees.
  ?Facilities that are up-to-date, well maintained, safe, and free of health and environmental hazards.
   

• Commit to public school issues:
  ?Attend school board meetings, vote in school board elections, stay informed on local referendum items, serve on school advisory committees, volunteer at school, urge local, state, and national legislators to full fund public education.
   

• Read your school’s policy and procedures guide.
   

• Involve the entire community in your school’s activities.
   

• Volunteer at your school. (Click here to print a TMS volunteer form.)
   

10 Ways for Parents to Help Teachers

1.  Create a smooth takeoff each day. Give your child a hug before she ventures out the door. Look her in the eye, and tell her how proud you are of her. Your child’s self-confidence and security will help her do well both in school and in life.

2.  Prepare for a happy landing at the end of the day. Create a routine for your child for the first 10-20 minutes after school.

3.  Make sure your child has a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. A well-balanced diet maximizes your child’s learning potential.

4.  Include calm, peaceful times in your children’s afternoons and evenings. Maintain a schedule that allows them to go to school rested, and if they are sick, have a system in place so they are able to stay home.

5.  Remember it’s your children’s homework, not yours. Sometimes, making a mistake allows for learning to take place. It’s also how children learn responsibility for the quality of their own work.

6.  Fill your child’s life with a love for learning by showing him your own curiosity, respecting his questions, and encouraging his efforts.

7.  Fill your home with books to read, books, simply to look at, and books that provide answers to life’s many questions. The public or school library is an excellent resource.

8.  Be a partner with your child’s teacher. When you need to speak to him or her in reference to a specific issue regarding your child, do it privately. Make a point to never criticize your child’s teacher in front of your child.

9.  Create a central calendar for upcoming events to avoid the unexpected.

10.Tuck a “love-note” in your child’s book bag to let her know how special she is. Knowing they are loved makes it easier for children to be kind to others.