Hallelujah! The school year is starting and students and faculty are in person! I am sure there is some trepidation for each family but I think just about everyone – agrees kids need to be with other kids! A kitchen table should be your kitchen table and not be your child’s classroom. So in lieu of the start of the school year – I penned a letter to families from the perspective of their new teacher. I hope your child has a great experience!
Dear Families,
I am so thrilled to be your child’s new teacher. This school year will be especially memorable and I feel fantastic after all of us having to cope with Covid-19 and having to navigate the tumultuous ride of the last year. I hope to meet all of you in person shortly but before your child begins I wanted to share a few things that I hope will make our important working relationship be strong and successful for your child.
First, you should know that from the first day to the last of the school year, truly getting to know your child is my top priority. Teaching is all about relationships. I am so looking forward to learning about your child as a learner and as a person. What are their strengths? How do they learn best? Where are the areas they might struggle? What interests your child? These questions are just a taste of some of the many areas where I will be searching and eager to learn more. So my second reminder to you is that this is a process and it takes time to build that bond of trust. Please know I will be in touch, but I ask for a bit of patience as we create our new classroom community.
(The one qualifier would be if your child has had any medical concerns, had an educational evaluation, or I am praying not – but any life changing events over the summer then by all means let’s meet with our support team before school begins. Sharing information and creating a specific plan for your child is the recipe for a successful year and partnership.)
Please know I am also a mom which for me helps me teach in a multiple ways. I know what it is like to sit on both sides of the desk. So for me meaningful communication is the key. I will hope to keep you well-informed on our grade level curriculum, our daily schedule and academic expectations for your child. That includes even the day-to-day mundane items. Two things on being “school” ready – I strongly recommend you encourage your child “to do” as much as they can independently. This pays off in volumes to grow their self-confidence, self-esteem and grit. Second, one of our own children’s teachers said this on a “Back To School Night” – “I’ll believe half of what I hear if you’ll believe half of what you hear!” I immediately loved her and knew my daughter was going to have an awesome year with this experienced, funny and caring educator. At anytime during the school year, please always reach out to me with questions.
Next up – please establish a daily week day routine for your child. Again, most kids crave routine. They will never admit to that fact but when they know what is expected it helps them navigate their day more successfully. This includes enough sleep. When a student is well-rested, they are ready to learn. It also helps them when bumps rise up whether in learning, with friendships or whatever transpires. I would also encourage that if possible once they are home to build in some time for “down time” and having fun hopefully outside – they have earned it! Lastly, together pick a designated homework space and set time that fits their age and schedule. If they know before dinner everything school related needs to be completed as best they can, it will help diminish the homework battles.
Last two recommendations from me, if you can have dinner together as a family please try to make it happen. It is so great for kids of any age to sit together as a family and share their day. To get them talking maybe bypass the standard “How was school today?” and opt for something to get them talking. Some questions that might work are “What were the best 3 things that happened today?” or “Today you had Library, what stories did you like?” Anything that teases out what school felt like will also help your child share their day with you and that is a parent win!
And my final recommendation to each family, read together! I know you are busy and have work to contend with, family needs, etc. But every piece of research indicates the power of reading together is overwhelmingly one of the most specific tools to develop a love of books and learning.
Thank-you for sharing your child with me. I cannot wait to get to know them and your family. I am here for all of you! And I totally get parenting is the toughest job in the world, so let’s all just enjoy each other and try our best.
Cheers to an awesome year!
Laine Jacoby
Instead of “how was school?” Try to promote more then the one word answers….
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