ASIJ ELEMENTARY SCHOOLBACK TO SCHOOLSEPTEMBER 10, 2010

Successful Conversati

ons at Home and

School

Thank you for spending your day with us!

• Think about what you heard from your child’s teachers today.

• Tell someone sitting near you about one learning opportunity you are excited your child is going to experience this year.

Today’s Goals:

• Strategies for maintaining positive communication

• Identify common conversation pitfalls

• “Lab Practice” - Common school-related conversations

Common Conversations

Home – SchoolConversation

Helpers

• Share what you want your child’s teachers to know about your child as a learner – strengths, weaknesses, goals for the year

• Our goal for these conversations is to create more understanding between home and school.

Home – SchoolConversation Helpers

Disclose important info—affecting child’s ability to participate, interact, etc. e.g. family illness, crisis

When problem solving, try to develop ways that both home and school can support

Home – SchoolConversation Helpers• If concerned/upset by something

child relates:• Assume positive intent• Go to proper source • Gather info from the source & give teacher chance to respond

• When listening —monitor emotions, control impulses reactions, take time to reflect

Home – SchoolConversation Helpers

• Assess your concerns and ‘hot buttons’ • Try to paraphrase to insure you capture teacher’s meaning

• Agree on some next steps

Parent – Child Conversation

Open a conversation with a focus on what they are doing, what they bring home (art project, book, schedule)

Pose a few specific, but open ended questions—”I understand you’re studying ____. What’s one thing you’re learning about right now?”

Parent – Child Conversation

When your child comes home and says…”I had a horrible day!”

• Acknowledge your child’s feelings:“I’m sorry that happened. You must have felt ____.”

• Work toward empowerment & problem solving: “How might you be able to solve it?”“Is there anyone who can help you solve it?

Parent – Child Conversation

Keep the focus on your own child. Avoid labeling other children.

Contact teacher or counselor if situation doesn’t improve.

Parent – Parent Conversation

• Get to know the parents of your child’s classmates.

• Parent lunches are a great way to get to know each other, build a parent network.

Parent – Parent Conversation

• If question or concern arises regarding something at school, talk to your child’s teacher rather than other parents in class.

• Avoid addressing school problems directly with other parents.

‘Lab Practice’ --School-Related Conversations

• Gather with your ‘neighbors’• Using ideas from today, how

might you address your chosen situation?

• Brief share out of some groups’ discussions.

Common School-Related Conversations

• Home – School Conversation: The teacher shares concerns about your child’s academic or social development. You don’t share the same concern. How might you move forward?

• Parent – Child Conversation: Something happened today at recess—she was not invited to a classmate’s birthday party. Your child is being excluded. What are some ways you might address this?

• Parent – Parent Conversation:Another parent calls to tell you about something that happened at school that upset your child. You didn’t know anything about the situation. How might you respond?

Thanks again for spending

your day with us!

Walk Away Question:Considering today’s topic,

what might you want to stay mindful of as you prepare for Parent Share Conferences?

We are looking forward to working with you this year!