Tips for Success

Ensure your child attends school regularly and on time
Daily attendance is critical to your child success in school. If your child will be absent please inform the school by calling, writing a note or letting the classroom teacher know.  Many important tasks and information are covered during the first moments of your child’s school day.  Ensuring that your child arrives to school on time allows him/her to a positive start to the day and fully participate in all activities.

Be generous with praise
Observe your child carefully and comment on the things that are done well. When you see an area that needs improvement, find a positive way to talk about it with your child.

Encourage "personal best"
Help your child by encouraging him or her to do the best in school and at home. Remember, "personal best" does not mean "perfect", and learning is not the same as high grades. Children, like adults, need the freedom to make mistakes and to learn from them.

Make learning a priority
Your attitude toward school attendance, education and involvement in the school makes a strong and lasting impression on your child. Show your child, by example, that learning is a priority.

Show interest in school work
o Talk about school each day.
o Ask to see classwork.
o Have your child read aloud to you.
o Read to and with your child from a variety of material in your first language.
o Encourage your child to discuss new ideas and opinions.
o Show appreciation for good efforts.

Offer suggestions for success
Help your child use the following strategies to improve performance in school:
o Read the assignment when it is given.
o Keep a list of new vocabulary.
o Proofread assignments to catch errors before writing a final draft.
o Review notes before a test.

Schedule study time
Set up an area for homework away from noise and distractions. Post a family calendar that schedules school project deadlines, after-school activities, mid-term dates, exam periods and report card dates.