We believe that every family can help at home and it will make a difference for our children. We know that your involvement every day will help your child succeed. Here’s how we can work together to ensure your child’s success in school and life.

At Home

• Do you have a place for your child to read and do homework every day? When children have a place and time to do their work, they are more likely to do it and do well in school.  If you don’t have a place at home, look for a local library or community center with homework help.
  
  
• Does your child go to bed and get up, eat meals, read and do homework at regular times? Try talking to your child about when these will happen and how long until the next activity starts to build his understanding of time and schedules, which are critical to success in school and life.
  
  
• How often do you tell your child that school and homework is important? When you do, she will feel and act positively toward homework and school.

At School

• Do you go to back-to-school events, parent-teacher conferences, math and literacy nights, student shows and other school activities? These are chances to get to know teachers and other school staff who work with your child every day.  The better you know them, the better they can help your child.
  
  
• When you go to your child’s school: 
  
  
  • Listen to the teachers’ goals and why they chose them. 
    
    
  • Tell them about your hopes and dreams for your child. 
    
    
  • If your child’s needs aren’t being met, tell the school staff what else you need—if you can, get involved in parent organizations to help plan future family activities.
    
    
  • If you are bilingual, volunteer to help non-English-speaking families.

How do I know…?

• If my child was in school today? If your child is marked absent, you will receive an automated call from school to let you know. (Please make sure your contact information is up-to-date in the school office.)
  
  
• If my child has missing assignments? Check the Parent Portal (featured below), which shows your child’s attendance, grades, class assignments and more. Talk with your child and the school about what you learn from Parent Portal. http://ereport.spps.org
  
  
• How my child is doing in school? Attend parent-teacher conferences, usually held in the fall and spring. Let the teacher know that you want to be kept informed of your child’s progress. You can always contact teachers by phone, notes or e-mail.  Let the school know if you need an interpreter.

When you go to parent-teacher conferences…

• Before a conference, talk with your child and think about questions you want to ask the teacher.  Here are some questions you might want to ask:
  
• In what areas is my child doing well?
• In what areas does my child need to do more?
• How much time should my child spend on homework each night?
• How are grades given? Tests? Attendance? Homework?
• Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to help?
• Do you have any concerns about how my child is doing either academically or socially in school?
  
  
• Tell the teacher if you think your child needs special help and about any special family situation or event that might affect his ability to learn—like a new baby, a sickness or a move.