Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - September 7th

Adapted from Teaching Young Children a publication of the National Association for the Education of Young Children Summer 2023

Building Partnerships With Your Child’s Teacher

We had a wonderful presentation from Micha Archer yesterday. She built her presentation around our students’ questions to her. Every classroom participated in the zoom presentation.

Next week we will welcome you into your children’s classrooms at our Back to School Nights. These evenings provide you with a chance to see your child’s learning environment and hear what their teachers have planned for the year. This evening is one small part of building your partnership with your child’s teacher. You know your child best. Your child’s teacher is the expert in curriculum, pedagogy, learning goals, and the environment your child experiences in school every day. Together, in partnership, you provide your child with the best possible education. 

Here are some suggestions for a successful partnership:

• Be sure you have reviewed the Family and Student Handbook.
• Be sure you read all emails and check the website homepage School Calendar regularly to know what is happening in school.
• In the younger grades, be sure to read your child’s teacher’s bi-weekly newsletters.
• Attend Back to School Night and other school events.
• Be sure you let your children’s teachers know the best way to reach you whether it is by phone, notes home in your child’s backpack, or by email.
• Look for early opportunities to talk with teachers - ask them questions about materials and information they send home with your child. 
• Be sure you let us know if something unusual or stressful is happening in your child’s life. 
• In some cases, you may not want to or be able to share details, but letting me, the school counselor, the school nurse, and your child’s teacher know something is going on, enables us to support your child best and understand any changes in behavior. 
• Be sure you provide your child’s teacher(s) with information about your child’s interests, strengths, challenges, and favorites. 
• For younger students, consider providing teachers with words in your home language that may help to comfort your child.  

When you email your child’s teacher, expect to hear back from them within 24-36 hours. 

• Some responses will be quick and informational answers to your question. 
• Other responses will be a request to set up a phone call.
• Drop off or pick up, are not a good time for asking the kind of question that needs more than a yes or no answer.
• Remember that teachers are busy focusing on your children. 

Finally, let us know when your child will be late or absent and why. Always email us at [email protected].

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1 Inspired by an article in Teaching Young Children a publication of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Summer 2023

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Announcements:

• Friday, September 8th, Book Discussion with Margaret 8:30-9:30 am in the Library
• Friday, September 8th, First Quaker Friday, be sure to ask your children about it.
• Tuesday, September 12, 7:00pm, Back to School Night, Preschool 2 through Kindergarten. We will start in the Auditorium
• Thursday, September 14, 7:00pm, Back to School Night,  First- Eighth Grades. We will start in the Auditorium
• Monday, September 18, Westfield 7th Annual Golf Outing, Riverton Country Club

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