To-Dos At School

Being a teacher is a tough job. Most of them use their own money to supplement the school supplies and books provided through the school budget. Their workday begins before students arrive, and extends into the evening as they grade papers and develop lesson plans. They often work after school and through the weekend, with responsibilities for extra-curricular school events and activities.  

Their influence on your child may endure for a lifetime.  Here are some key things you can do to make things easier for your child and for the teachers in your child’s life. 

• Respect Teacher’s Time.  Transition times – in the morning when students arrive, and at the end of the day when they leave – are two of the most difficult times of the day.  Be aware that teachers' focus is on the many students they are responsible for - accounting for all of them and ensuring they arrive and depart safely.  When you see your child's teachers during these times, you can wave, smile, and say hello.  But if you have questions or need to discuss your child’s performance in the classroom, it’s best to schedule a 1-on-1 meeting outside of school hours. 

• Follow the Rules.  These days, unfortunately, school can be a dangerous place.  The school’s rules for visitors (anyone who’s not a teacher or student - that's you!) typically include “Sign In At the Front Desk and Get a Visitor’s Badge Before Entering the School” and “Park in the Visitors Parking Lot”.  Many of these rules have been put into place for your child’s safety. Whether you’re attending a school event or delivering a forgotten lunch – follow the rules.  

• Follow-Up.  A successful school year requires your participation. Make sure to send a spare dose of needed medication to the school’s nurse in the event needed. Read the school communications sent home with students. Send the money for the class trip.  Buy needed supplies. Sign and return forms and permission slips on time. We’re all busy these days, right?  You’re half of the parent-teacher partnership that benefits your child. In just a few minutes each day, you can follow-up and ensure you’ve taken care of the things that need to be done to support your student.  

• Don’t Panic.  Whether it’s a forgotten lunch or a poor test score that has you in a tizzy, keep things in perspective.  Your child will survive whatever happens that day – and then you can work together to address any problems that come up to make sure they don’t happen again.  

If you’re concerned about your child’s performance in school, give the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville a call. We identify, and then fill, the skill and knowledge gaps quickly so your child can get back on track to a successful school year. 

Call us at 268-8556 to schedule diagnostic testing to identify the gaps and enroll your student.  Tell us you read the To-Dos At School blog post, and receive 50% off testing services. 

This teacher said "I don't believe in 'I can't'!"

Read this story about a teacher - a Band Director - that went an extra mile for her student.  At the Tutoring Club of Jacksonville, we know this impact that positive reinforcement, and a genuine interest in our students' lives makes.  We pulled this story from 11Alive.com:

SWANVILLE, Minn. – As his body weakened from a muscle disease, Ethan Och knew the time had come.

He told his music teacher he'd have to give up his favorite school activity.  "I was lagging behind," says Ethan. "And they were going ahead and there was no way for me to catch up with them."

His teacher, Gina Christopherson, remembers the day Ethan broke the news. "He said I really hate to do this, but I have to quit band."  If Ethan expected to ride his wheelchair into the band sunset, he picked the wrong director.  "I don't believe in 'I can't,'" says Mrs. Christopherson.

Today Ethan is back in the percussion section, drumming on an iPad hooked to an amplifier.  Mrs. Christopherson got the idea from Ethan himself, the day she saw him playing with a drum app on his smartphone.  "My first day digging through iTunes I downloaded 75 different apps," Mrs. Christopherson says.  Several of those apps are now loaded on an iPad from the school's special education department, giving Ethan an assortment of drums, cymbals and a keyboard, he plays with his fingers.

"Exactly the same as his classmates," says Mrs. Christopherson, "just a different mode."  Not all band directors felt that way. Mrs. Christopherson says it took some convincing before the Minnesota State High School League agreed that Ethan's amplified music would be allowed in band competitions.  But that was only one of the hurdles. When marching band season came Ethan cleared another, thanks to a baby stroller and a car battery that kept his amplifier powered as he rolled along with the Swanville High School band.  "I could not understand how that would work," says Ethan.  He's learned since not to doubt his music teacher. "In her mind anything's possible," he says.

That includes Ethan's upcoming bus trip to New York City with the rest of the band. To be sure, Ethan's need for 24 hour nursing care presented an obstacle, but Mrs. Christopherson wasn't going let that stand in the way either.  An online fundraiser to help cover travel expenses for two nurses raised the needed $1200 in less than a day.  "He's part of the team, you don't leave somebody behind," Mrs. Christopherson says.

Ethan's parents know few band directors would go to such lengths.  "You have those people that see barriers when they look at things, and those who see doors," says Stephanie Och, Ethan's mom.

Mrs. Christopherson sees the entire Swanville community benefiting from Ethan's iPad drumming. "It's his success and we get to celebrate it too," she says.

Being a Parent Volunteer at School

There are a variety of ways to volunteer at your child's school.  There are opportunities for parents/grandparents who do not work AND opportunities for those who do work outside the home.  You can volunteer to help in the classroom, plan to chaperone field trips, and help with special events like Play Day or Orientation.  You simply need to ask the teacher what you can do to help!

However, in preparation for these opportunities, parents definitely need to get clearance through the school system in advance.  For Duval County, the link to the process is here:

http://www.duvalschools.org/Page/7416

Just know that your child will remember your participation in their school events.  It really does mean something to have you around!