Here is an article I’d like to share with parents on how you can better connect with your child’s teacher and by doing so ensure the success of your child in school.

Parents Are Best Resource for Ensuring Student Success

(NewsUSA) [...]]]> What have you been doing to further the education of yourself and your family?

Here is an article I’d like to share with parents on how you can better connect with your child’s teacher and by doing so ensure the success of your child in school.

Parents Are Best Resource for Ensuring Student Success

(NewsUSA) – To maximize their child’s educational experience, parents should go back to school. But don’t dust off the book covers and No. 2 pencils just yet. This experience only requires learning the ABCs of parental involvement – specifically, opening the lines of communication through parent-teacher conferences.

“We know parents are busy, but it is important to carve out time to invest in your child’s education and ensure success at school,” said National Education Association President Reg Weaver. “To get the most out of parent-teacher conferences, parents need to take an active role in their child’s education year-round and come prepared to discuss how their child can reach his full potential.”

NEA, representing 3.2 million educators, offers the following tips for getting the most out of parent-teacher conferences:

Get ready. Do your homework prior to parent-teacher conferences. Prepare by writing notes to yourself concerning:

* Any questions about the school’s programs or policies.

* Things you can share with the teacher about your child and his life at home.

* Questions about your child’s progress.

Ask important questions.

Don’t be afraid to engage in a frank conversation with your child’s teacher. Your goal is to develop an action plan for your child’s success at school.

Good questions to ask the teacher include the following:

* What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?

* How does my child get along with classmates?

* Is my child working up to his ability? Where could he use improvement?

* What can we do at home to support what you are doing in the classroom?

Initiate the action plan.

Start immediately on the action plan you and the teacher put together. Discuss the plan with your child and track his progress.

Stay in touch with your child’s teacher throughout the year with regularly scheduled “report card” conferences that can keep the communication lines open.

“Parents are the best resource for a child to make the grade,” Weaver said. “When teachers and parents work together, we can help a child have a successful school year.”

For more information and tips, visit www.nea.org/aew .

Till next time

Gloria

I went shopping and there was an elderly vet at the entrance collecting money for holiday season gifts for our troops on the field.

I gave a symbolic donation and then asked him if I could salute him.

He was taken aback for a second and told me no one [...]]]> I did a good deed.

I went shopping and there was an elderly vet at the entrance collecting money for holiday season gifts for our troops on the field.

I gave a symbolic donation and then asked him if I could salute him.

He was taken aback for a second and told me no one has ever asked him that when giving a donation. He told me it would make his day. So I saluted him. Note I served in the Israel Defense Forces as an American resident of Israel at the time and knew the correct military salute. He smiled and asked me where I learned how to salute and I told him.

He gave me a Buddy Poppy (silk poppy flower) and then I said, that he’d be surprised to know who I am. He asked and I told him that Col. William Prescott of Bunker Hill fame was my first cousin seven times removed. Let me tell you, he was shocked. He couldn’t believe it. We parted wishing each other a wonderful day.

It wasn’t raining that day,  just overcast and windy.

But what took place that day made it a pleasant one. Actually I still can’t believe I did that. Maybe that was meant to be a sign to show me I’m not as shy as I think I am.

To all the men in service and all the Vets I offer a salute to your service and efforts in keeping America a safe place for its people and ensuring that freedom reign.

Gloria