• Please review the following statements to see how you can help your child succeed in learning and achieving and how you can become more involved with the school.
• This review is only for your use and reflection. It is not meant to be returned to the school. It belongs to you as a guide for involvement.
• You are encouraged to discuss these reflections with your child(ren).

IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL SUCCESS
I talk with my child about how important school is
I encourage my child to do his/her best
I help my child set goals for school
I celebrate school successes with my child
I listen to my child’s concerns about school. I act upon these concerns in a helpful, supportive way.

FOCUS ON ACADEMIC SUCCESS
At home I support many reading and math enrichment activities
At home there is a set time and place for homework to be done
My child has the needed materials for school work and projects
I know what assignments and classwork my child is doing

MY EFFORTS IN COMMUNICATING WITH THE SCHOOL
I communicate regularly with my child’s teacher(s) by phone, email or written notes
I attend open house, curriculum fairs, plays, special events, parent nights or other school activities
I attend parent and teacher conferences specifically set for my child’s success
When possible, I volunteer to help at the school or with a class of school project or function

BUILDING RESPONSIBILITY
My child has a regular daily routine for healthy eating, sleeping/waking and exercise
My child has assigned family chores that contribute to the well-being of the family and home
My child attends school every day and is on time to class
I am aware of the school activities that my child may participate in and I encourage and support my child to be involved

FOCUS ON BEHAVIOR
I teach my child respect for self and others, the value of hard work and responsibility
I have read the school Code of Conduct and support good behavior at school
My child understands that there are consequences for misbehavior
I monitor the media that my child is viewing or listening to television, music, and video games

DISCIPLINING YOUR CHILD
• Be a good example. Your child will learn by watching what you do.
• Never hit or shake a child. Physical punishment is not an effective form of discipline. It can cause harm to the child and encourage physical expressions of emotions.
• Speak to your children in a calm, clear and firm tone. Communicate your expectations and guidelines for good behavior with your child.
• Express disapproval without using harsh language. Communicate to your child why their behavior is wrong and provide a positive alternative.
• Give your child choices. Allow your child multiple options for good behavior.

TIPS FOR NURTURING PARENTS
• Spend time with your child. Plan activities that the whole family can enjoy together.
• Listen to your child.
• Encourage your child. Offer verbal praise to children for their skills, accomplishments and talents.
• Help your child feel love and security. Make sure your children know you love them, even when they do something wrong.
• Use non-physical discipline. Redirecting a child’s attention, offering choices, or using time-out are good non-physical discipline techniques.

PARENTING TIPS

• Organize a job chart so that chores are evenly distributed. It's a great way to see that jobs are completed. A job chart can eliminate many hassles and arguments about who does what. Evenly distribute the "easy" and the "hard" jobs and the "not so bad" and the "icky" jobs. Don't worry; your children will let you know which jobs are which!
• Parents should have the telephone numbers of their children's school(s) and the names of their teachers with them at work.
• Help your child learn alphabetical order. Underline the key word on five or six packaged items in your kitchen _ corn, macaroni, catsup, etc. _ and help your child arrange them in alphabetical order.
• Put your child in charge of the family calendar - recording appointments, meetings and celebrations.
• When you are cooking, encourage your child to read the recipes along with you and help in the food preparation.
• To help your child understand sequence, cut a comic strip from the newspaper, read it aloud, cut it in sections, and have the child put it back together again in the correct order.
• Read, read, read! As you read to your young child, before your reach the end of a story, stop and ask her what she thinks will happen. Finish reading the story and compare the actual to the imagined ending to help your child comprehend what she is reading.
• Expect your child to do his best work on homework and school assignments. "It's okay," often isn't good enough.
• Review your child's daily schoolwork and homework assignments. Ask her questions and praise her efforts. This allows you to keep in touch with what she is studying and lets you know when she is having difficulty.
• Take part in school activities regularly. Show your interest and support by attending PTA meetings, parent-teacher conferences, school plays, book fairs, etc. When you give your time for these activities, it shows that you are interested in your child's learning.
• Be sure to notify the school when your child is absent. Make arrangements to pick up homework during long absences.
• Don't wait until 12th grade to start thinking about your child's goals and interests. Get acquainted with school counselors, and know what courses he should be taking to prepare for college and a career.
• Take time every day _ right after school, at supper or before bedtime _ to talk with your child about the school day.
• Support your child's interests. If he likes music, for example, encourage him to join the school band, or go to the library and borrow a book on the subject.
• Visit zoos, museums and historic sites. Attend concerts, plays and other events.
• Talk with your child about the future. Help her understand that schoolwork is preparation for her future.
• Encourage your child to talk not only about their success but any problems they may have
• Make sure your child has a good breakfast so they will arrive at school ready to learn
• Visit the National PTA website at www.pta.org for a wealth of parenting ideas
• It’s not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful
• Make sure your child schedules time for reading this summer. Check your local library for summer reading activities.
• Families lead hectic lives but always make sure you make time to find out what’s going on in your child’s life
• Create a smooth takeoff each day. Give your child a hug before she ventures out the door and you head to work. Look her in the eye, and tell her how proud you are of her. Your child's self-confidence and security will help her do well both in school and in life.
• Prepare for a happy landing at the end of the day when you reconvene. Create a predictable ritual such as 10–20 minutes listening to your child talk about his day
• Before you check phone messages, read the mail, or begin dinner. Take 10–20 minutes listening to your child talk about his day.
• Remember it's your children's homework, not yours. Create a specific homework space that's clutter-free and quiet. Encourage editing and double-checking work, but allow your kids to make mistakes, as it's the only way teachers can gauge if they understand the material. It's also how children learn responsibility for the quality of their work.
• Fill your child's life with a love for learning by showing him your own curiosity, respecting his questions, and encouraging his efforts
• Be a partner with your child's teacher. When you need to speak to him or her in reference to a specific issue with your child, do it privately, not in front of your child. Make a point never to criticize your child's teacher in front of your child.
• Tuck a "love note" in your child's lunch bag to let her know how special she is. Knowing they are loved makes it easier for children to be kind to others.
• Children need clearly defined rules and limits set for them so that they know what is expected of them and the consequences for not complying. When setting family rules and limits, be sure children understand the purpose behind the rules and be consistent in enforcing them.
• Get to know your child's teachers and help them get to know you and your child. Communicate with your child's teachers throughout the school year, not just when problems arise.
• Stay informed of school events, class projects, and homework assignments. Attend all parent orientation activities and parent-teacher conferences.
• Join Your PTA or a Violence Prevention Coalition
• According to the National Crime Prevention Council, the crime rate can decrease by as much as 30 percent when a violence prevention initiative is a community-wide effort
• The first priority when engaging in competitive activities—especially for kids ages 10 and younger—is having fun. Younger kids are likely to lose interest in activities that are overly competitive.
• Your crossing guard knows who your child hangs out with do you –Get involved
• If your child is having learning challenges call your local Boys and Girls Club for available tutor programs
• Did you know American Red Cross has a teen corps trained for disaster, if your teen is interested call American Red Cross
• Encourage and support older children in serving in student leadership positions

FOR MORE TIPS GO TO WWW.PTA.ORG