• WHAT TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL STAFF  WOULD LIKE TO TELL PARENTS
  

  Show up for events.

  o It is crucial for parents to attend conferences and other events so you are on board with what your child is learning.

  Encourage writing at home.

  o Writing thank you notes and writing letters to family / friends boosts writing skills. Be sure to  check for details!

   Stop being a homework enabler.

  o Look over your child’s assignment, but don’t hover and correct spelling errors and math
  equations. This will cause issues when it comes time to take te4sts or work out challenges on
  their own.

  Obey school hours.

  o Every minute of school counts. Dropping off late and picking up early really adds up when you
  have only 7 hours a day in the classroom – not to mention the disruption to the other children.

  If the child is sick – keep them home!

  o An ill child should not be given a dose of Tylenol and then dropped off with instructions to “go to
  the nurse if you don’t feel any better.” Make alternative arrangements and DON’T send your  child if they have been vomiting.

   Unplug your child.

  o Screen time means your child is reading less. Book time should be a daily activity while TV is a  weekend activity.

   Avoid rushing to judgment.

  o Teachers don’t want your child to be miserable in the classroom. Be sure to hear the whole story so you and the teacher can work out consequences for misbehavior.

  Make an effort to volunteer.

•   Even if you work full-time, help by providing additional supplies, bring in a special craft or take home a project to prep for the teacher.
  

  Don’t raise a disrupter.

  o It is difficult to teach a classroom of 25 children when one child continually acts out to get the attention of other students.

  Go the extra mile for me, the teacher or school staff person.

  o Positive feedback is wonderful! Drop an email or note to let me know your child enjoyed a  project or lesson.

  Integrate learning into everyday activities.

  o Follow a dinner recipe, count cars – drive home classroom lessons! Insist on respect.
  o Kids who talk back to parents, throw book bags they expect parents to retrieve are kids who
  think it is okay to be disrespectful to teachers and friends.

  Treat me as an equal.

  o I have a family and other responsibilities too. When scheduling conferences, offer a
  compromise that works for us both.Send lunch, not money.

• Have your child help pack the healthy lunch they WILL eat, not send money for foods they mayselect from the lunch line that are NOT as nutritious.
  

  Offer a helping hand.

  o Check with the teacher to see if anything is needed for a special project and be ready to answer
  the urgent email if extra hands are needed!

  Follow through on consequences.

  o There is a direct link between school behavior and home life.

The Boys and Girls Club gave a presentation at the Gilmer County BOC’s regular meeting Thursday night. Jan Day spoke to the Board and to the citizens of Gilmer County thanking them for the use of the Civic Center. The space has been especially helpful to the Club and Jan stated that “it provides a place for children who would go home to an empty house.” Hopefully they will be able to serve up to 120 kids.

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