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I look forward to helping your student learn each day. But I can only spend a few hours with them. Your helping them at home will ensure your child has all the support needed for success this year in school. You, your child, and I can work together to make this year your child's most successful year yet! Here are some ways you can help.
1) Attend Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
Kids do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. Attending Parent-Student-Teacher conferences is a great way to stay abreast of issues affecting your student, new programs or suggestions I may have to help your child succeed.
2) Visit the School and Its Website
Knowing the physical layout of the school building and grounds can help you connect with your child when you talk about the school day. It's good to know the location the main office, cafeteria, gym, athletic fields, playgrounds, auditorium, and special classes. This website will have details on homework assignments, test dates, and classroom events. Visit the school website and CPS website for more information affecting your child's learning (See Contact Information on this site).
3) Support Homework Assignments
In 6th Grade, your child will have Math and Science homework several nights each week. Homework is a review of what we have learned during the day, but it may be challenging for your student and expectations are higher in 6th grade than they were in 5th. Students may need to spend 1 or 2 hours working at home on assignments. There is no time during the day at school for them to do their homework, so they will have homework when it is assigned. I have a Homework Tab under the Student section of this website so you can always check assignments that are due.
An important way to help is to make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit, distraction-free place to study that's stocked with supplies. Distraction-free means no phone, games, TV or websites other than homework-related resources. Be sure to check in from time to time to make sure that your child hasn't gotten distracted, or if they may need your help or encouragement. If they remain stuck on a problem despite searching for help, encourage them to ask for clarification in class. Math and Science can only be learned by doing, reviewing, and practicing. Homework is as challenging as it is important, and your help supporting your child's homework responsibilities will help them with their learning.
4) Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn
A nutritious breakfast fuels middle schoolers and gets them ready for their day. Our school offers breakfast so make sure that your student arrives to school on time so they can enjoy their meal and get ready for their day’s learning. Preteens also need the right amount of sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. In general, preteens need about 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night and teens need about 8½ to 9½ hours.
Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age for a variety of reasons. Homework, sports, after-school activities, texting, TVs, computers, and video games, as well as hectic family schedules, can contribute to students not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can make it difficult for preteens and teens to pay attention in school. You can help encourage a consistent bedtime routine, especially on school nights.
5) Teach Organizational Skills
No one is born with great organizational skills — they have to be learned and practiced…and then practiced some more. Being organized is a key to success in 6th Grade, where most students first have more than one teacher and classroom and where some students are participating in after-school activities for the first time. I will help students create a class organizer for each subject. You can help by making sure to check the work each day and make sure your child comes to school with their completed homework, any supplies they may need, and any forms that need to be returned signed and in their notebook.
6) Teach Study Skills
Planning is a big part of helping your 6th-grader study for tests now that he or she is juggling work from multiple teachers. Look at the calendar and ensure your student is allowing enough time to study for tests and long-term assignments. When there is a test scheduled, help your child plan their studying schedule each night so they are prepared to be successful when the test date arrives. Help your 6th-grader prepare by listening to their questions, reviewing their worksheets, and asking questions to ensure they have thought enough about the material to be successful. And remember…getting enough sleep the night before the test is better than cramming all night because they didn’t study beforehand. In math especially, we learn by practice. Doing practice problems is a great way to review for tests. Your child can ask me for appropriate online practice resources. Several practice and study resources are included in this website under the Student Resources Tab.
7) Know the Disciplinary and Bullying Policies
Preteens may have a difficult time conforming to behavior norms. There are many new social and emotional experiences they have which may cause conflict that might result in unacceptable behavior. We will hold all students accountable for their behavior to ensure that your child has the best learning environment possible. We ask that you familiarize yourself with the student code of conduct to make sure you understand the behaviors and consequences that are expected of all students. The student code of conduct is available from the CPS website. You can click here for a copy in English or Spanish. Review the Code of Conduct with your student to make sure they understand it as well. It's important for your preteen or teen to know what's expected at school and that you'll support the school's consequences when expectations aren't met. If you or they have any questions regarding our Code of Conduct, you may contact me directly or speak to Mr. Glanzman our Vice Principal and Dean of Students. It's easiest for students when school expectations match the ones at home, so they see both environments as safe and caring places that work together as a team.
8) Be Involved
Being involved in your child’s education shows them that you are interested in their education and future. Watch the school calendar for activities, concerts, and events that present a great way for you to get involved in the current events of our school and classroom. If you’d like to discuss others way to get involved, please contact me directly and we can review your child’s individual needs and opportunities.
9) Take Attendance Seriously
6th Grade Math and Science, perhaps more than any subject to date, build each day on the learning the day before. If you student is absent, tardy, unprepared or drowsy, they will miss important skills that will affect future learning. If they are absent, make sure they pick up all worksheets, and assignments for the time they missed. They will need to speak with a fellow student to see if they can review any notes taken for the day they missed. Any student that misses school is still responsible for all the assignments and activities that were expected during the time they missed. By missing school, not only does the student miss important learning, but any assignments that are not completed on time will result in a lower grade or a failure for the assignment. If you know that your student is going to miss a day, send me a note, and I will help prepare your student for their absence. All homework will still be due, and that will be posted on my website under the Student Homework Tab.
10) Make Time to Talk About School
Staying connected with preteens as they grow more independent can be a challenge for parents, but it's more important than ever. While activities at school, new interests, and expanding social circles can become more central to the lives of students, parents and guardians are still their anchors for providing love, guidance, and support. I will always make it a priority to be available to you and your student to discuss things that may be relevant to your student and their learning. We are a team, and together, we can ensure your child knows that we care about and value their efforts to complete 6th grade successfully.
1) Attend Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
Kids do better in school when parents are involved in their academic lives. Attending Parent-Student-Teacher conferences is a great way to stay abreast of issues affecting your student, new programs or suggestions I may have to help your child succeed.
2) Visit the School and Its Website
Knowing the physical layout of the school building and grounds can help you connect with your child when you talk about the school day. It's good to know the location the main office, cafeteria, gym, athletic fields, playgrounds, auditorium, and special classes. This website will have details on homework assignments, test dates, and classroom events. Visit the school website and CPS website for more information affecting your child's learning (See Contact Information on this site).
3) Support Homework Assignments
In 6th Grade, your child will have Math and Science homework several nights each week. Homework is a review of what we have learned during the day, but it may be challenging for your student and expectations are higher in 6th grade than they were in 5th. Students may need to spend 1 or 2 hours working at home on assignments. There is no time during the day at school for them to do their homework, so they will have homework when it is assigned. I have a Homework Tab under the Student section of this website so you can always check assignments that are due.
An important way to help is to make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit, distraction-free place to study that's stocked with supplies. Distraction-free means no phone, games, TV or websites other than homework-related resources. Be sure to check in from time to time to make sure that your child hasn't gotten distracted, or if they may need your help or encouragement. If they remain stuck on a problem despite searching for help, encourage them to ask for clarification in class. Math and Science can only be learned by doing, reviewing, and practicing. Homework is as challenging as it is important, and your help supporting your child's homework responsibilities will help them with their learning.
4) Send Your Child to School Ready to Learn
A nutritious breakfast fuels middle schoolers and gets them ready for their day. Our school offers breakfast so make sure that your student arrives to school on time so they can enjoy their meal and get ready for their day’s learning. Preteens also need the right amount of sleep to be alert and ready to learn all day. In general, preteens need about 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night and teens need about 8½ to 9½ hours.
Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age for a variety of reasons. Homework, sports, after-school activities, texting, TVs, computers, and video games, as well as hectic family schedules, can contribute to students not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep can make it difficult for preteens and teens to pay attention in school. You can help encourage a consistent bedtime routine, especially on school nights.
5) Teach Organizational Skills
No one is born with great organizational skills — they have to be learned and practiced…and then practiced some more. Being organized is a key to success in 6th Grade, where most students first have more than one teacher and classroom and where some students are participating in after-school activities for the first time. I will help students create a class organizer for each subject. You can help by making sure to check the work each day and make sure your child comes to school with their completed homework, any supplies they may need, and any forms that need to be returned signed and in their notebook.
6) Teach Study Skills
Planning is a big part of helping your 6th-grader study for tests now that he or she is juggling work from multiple teachers. Look at the calendar and ensure your student is allowing enough time to study for tests and long-term assignments. When there is a test scheduled, help your child plan their studying schedule each night so they are prepared to be successful when the test date arrives. Help your 6th-grader prepare by listening to their questions, reviewing their worksheets, and asking questions to ensure they have thought enough about the material to be successful. And remember…getting enough sleep the night before the test is better than cramming all night because they didn’t study beforehand. In math especially, we learn by practice. Doing practice problems is a great way to review for tests. Your child can ask me for appropriate online practice resources. Several practice and study resources are included in this website under the Student Resources Tab.
7) Know the Disciplinary and Bullying Policies
Preteens may have a difficult time conforming to behavior norms. There are many new social and emotional experiences they have which may cause conflict that might result in unacceptable behavior. We will hold all students accountable for their behavior to ensure that your child has the best learning environment possible. We ask that you familiarize yourself with the student code of conduct to make sure you understand the behaviors and consequences that are expected of all students. The student code of conduct is available from the CPS website. You can click here for a copy in English or Spanish. Review the Code of Conduct with your student to make sure they understand it as well. It's important for your preteen or teen to know what's expected at school and that you'll support the school's consequences when expectations aren't met. If you or they have any questions regarding our Code of Conduct, you may contact me directly or speak to Mr. Glanzman our Vice Principal and Dean of Students. It's easiest for students when school expectations match the ones at home, so they see both environments as safe and caring places that work together as a team.
8) Be Involved
Being involved in your child’s education shows them that you are interested in their education and future. Watch the school calendar for activities, concerts, and events that present a great way for you to get involved in the current events of our school and classroom. If you’d like to discuss others way to get involved, please contact me directly and we can review your child’s individual needs and opportunities.
9) Take Attendance Seriously
6th Grade Math and Science, perhaps more than any subject to date, build each day on the learning the day before. If you student is absent, tardy, unprepared or drowsy, they will miss important skills that will affect future learning. If they are absent, make sure they pick up all worksheets, and assignments for the time they missed. They will need to speak with a fellow student to see if they can review any notes taken for the day they missed. Any student that misses school is still responsible for all the assignments and activities that were expected during the time they missed. By missing school, not only does the student miss important learning, but any assignments that are not completed on time will result in a lower grade or a failure for the assignment. If you know that your student is going to miss a day, send me a note, and I will help prepare your student for their absence. All homework will still be due, and that will be posted on my website under the Student Homework Tab.
10) Make Time to Talk About School
Staying connected with preteens as they grow more independent can be a challenge for parents, but it's more important than ever. While activities at school, new interests, and expanding social circles can become more central to the lives of students, parents and guardians are still their anchors for providing love, guidance, and support. I will always make it a priority to be available to you and your student to discuss things that may be relevant to your student and their learning. We are a team, and together, we can ensure your child knows that we care about and value their efforts to complete 6th grade successfully.