Building an educational partnership is an important component of student growth. With parent conferences over and the end of the first trimester nearing, there are a few things to ensure that positive communication remains open between parents and teachers.
Communication about student progress is continuous: At the beginning of the year, teachers introduce themselves and discuss classroom routines at Parents’ Night. SIA teachers continue to communicate with highlights of classroom experiences through their newsletters and posts on ParentSquare. Parent-Teacher Conferences are held during the first and third trimester. SIA’s reporting system closely aligns with the IB philosophy, and teachers provide detailed information about student progress. Throughout the year, when teachers have information they would like to share with parents they will call, write a note, or send an email or ParentSquare message.
Teachers’ biggest passion is supporting student growth as they develop into strong learners with agency. As parents, you want your child to make the most out of their learning day. Keep discussions open with your child’s teacher. Share what you know about your child’s development and listen to the recommendations of the teachers. Working together, we are a great team for educational success.
Here are some great tips for partnering with your child’s teacher:
Help your teacher get to know your child: Often, the things you observe your child doing at home, the teacher also observes in the classroom. You may have strategies to share with your child’s teacher that works for you at home. If you are new to the school, share information that has helped your child to be successful in the past.
Ask questions: If your child brings home news of classroom happenings that leave you with questions, ask the teacher. Discussing situations with students or even other parents can sometimes stray from the facts. Never hesitate to ask about a situation from the teacher’s perspective so you get all sides of a story.
Openly discuss concerns: Listen to the recommendations of the teacher and if strategies are suggested, follow through at home and we will do the same at school. If you still have questions after speaking with your child’s teacher, you are welcome to reach out to a director.
