For many kids, school has been in full swing for over a month? Homework is an everyday affair for most families by this time in the semester. How's it going? You may be able to check online to see if assignments have been turned in and what grades are. If you can't tell much from what appears online, it's time for a checkin with teachers. There are still a few weeks until fall parent-teacher conferences but things could fall a lot more before then if they are on a downward spiral already. Time to email a few teachers to see how things are going.
There are more areas than just academics. Does your child seem stressed when she comes home from school? Does she cry or whine about going to school? On the email to teachers, there are a few things to inquire?
- How is my child's focus and attention in class?
- Is he interacting with others during class?
- Is he talking to others at lunch?
- Does he play with others at recess?
- Does he look stressed during the days?
- Does he follow directions in class?
- How is his attitude toward adults and peers?
Advocating is important but without a good pulse on how things are going at school, it is hard to know what the needs are. Next week, let's continue this discussion. It will center on what a parent advocate can do before conferences to get things back on track when things aren't going well. Don't forget to send this email so that you can advocate right away, if necessary!
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