Fall is Here

Welcome to fall!  The leaves on the trees surrounding Eagle Ridge Academy are slowly turning and quickly falling to the ground.  With the color of the leaves comes the slight chill in the air.  Please remember to send some type of outerwear (jacket, fleece, sweater) to school with your child each day.  The children will be going outside for recess and sometimes for class lessons or projects.  It is important they are prepared for the weather each day.

We are rapidly coming up on Parent/Teacher Conferences this week.  The Harvard Graduate School of Education did a family research project on conferences and came up with the following ideas and principles for conferences.  

The acronym BE HEARD was created for these principles.

Best intentions assumed

·         Always believe parents and teachers are working to do what is best for the student.

Emphasis on learning

·         All parties involved should make sure the conversation is about the student’s learning.

Home-school collaboration

·         Use this time to create a plan for home/school collaboration.  Discuss the best ways to communicate for all parties involved.

Examples and evidence

·         Both parents and teachers should have examples or evidence for the things they are speaking about.  (Not just student words)

Active listening

·         Make sure you listen to the things others are saying and don’t use that time to think of how you want to respond.  It is always nice to take a moment to paraphrase what you thought the last speaker just said, so you are all on the same page.

Respect for all

·         It is okay if we don’t all agree on things.  We should still be respectful of each other through our words and actions (including respect for each other’s time).

Dedication to follow-up

·         Make a plan if there are things that need to be addressed and make sure to follow up on that plan.  Dedication and teamwork from all parties is the key to making changes if they are needed.

 

If you are interested in reading more please click on the following link.

http://www.hfrp.org/family-involvement/publications-resources/parent-teacher-conference-tip-sheets-for-principals-teachers-and-parents

Don’t forget the Book Fair will be in the gym during parent/teacher conferences.  It is a great time to get some new reading material for your child, while also supporting Eagle Ridge Academy. 

There will be a parent meeting regarding Title One at Eagle Ridge Academy on Thursday, October 4^th at 6:00 in the Lower School Art Room.  

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier