Parent-Teacher Partnerships Help Students Succeed

Did everyone survive the first week of school? 

I know there were some heavy eyelids in my household last Friday after the initial week of the 2011-12 academic year; mine included!

Now that we’re back in the swing of things, I thought it important to offer a reminder to everyone invested in the education of Rochester’s most precious resources – its children.

To optimize all that RCS has to offer there needs to be partnerships. There must be partnerships between teachers and parents, between teachers and students, and between students and parents.

Don’t get me wrong, no one needs to enter an LLP, but it’s of vital importance everyone working with the children – including, if age appropriate, the child – is on the same chapter, if not on the same page, as the year begins.

To this end, parents have an opportunity to do so in the coming weeks as Rochester’s schools host curriculum nights. It’s critical parents make a point of attending, listening carefully, asking clarifying questions, discovering the expectations of the teacher, and sharing information staff may find helpful in working with their children.

And don’t just limit your conversations with the core classroom teachers. Make your way into the unified arts wing and speak with the physical education, art, and music teachers; at the elementary level, stop by to see the media specialist. Remember, each teacher sees the children in a different environment and may have insights for parents on how their children interact with others and how they shine in a way unique to their subject area.

While it’s important for parents to be present at curriculum night, it’s equally important this not be a one-time-only event. Find out how best to keep in contact with the teacher. Is it myRCS? Is it e-mail? Does the teacher have a separate blog? A Twitter feed? Does the teacher prefer phone calls? Hand-written notes? Whatever it is, make sure you know how and when the best times are to reach your child’s teacher and if you have questions … ask them! No one – not even a teacher – is able to answer the question that’s never asked. 

Likewise, are there opportunities for you to volunteer in the classroom or the school? If the teacher doesn’t have a ready-made manner for you to assist, seek out your school’s PTSA and see how you can assist through this organization. And dads, I speak from experience as both a teacher and a father, if the opportunity presents itself for you to volunteer in your child’s school, please do it. When fathers are in the building there’s a different pep in the step of their children and their children’s friends.

It’s possible – and unfortunately it does happen in this district – parents and teachers only have interactions at curriculum night and parent-teacher conferences. For the sake of your child please don’t let this be the case with you.

Please be an active partner in your child’s education.