Sep 17-21

Hello McMillin Beagles! I apologize for the delay in updating our Blog. I usually write this on Sunday and I guess I was a little distracted with the Chargers winning 2 in a row!

As you know we’ll continue to have parent teacher conferences this week. I hope these meetings will be productive and will give you insight to how your children are performing and on ways you can support them at home. Remember you are your childs biggest advocate and it’s your responsibility to know what and how your child is doing. If I can be of any support to you before, during or after your conference please let me know.

This is our final week of school before our Fall break. We will be on break for two weeks (Sep 24-Oct 8), students will return Oct 9. I encourage all familes to take some time and focus on relaxing. Often parents want packets of homework for students to work on during break and although there is some value in reinforcing foundational concepts, it usually is very minimal. The best kind of “practice” is to read a book they enjoy, practice sight words and review basic math facts via flash cards. However, the MOST valuable thing you can do during break is to spend time with your child and talk. Take them to the park, beach, museum, movies, library, etc. After your day trip have a conversation about what they enjoyed or learned. By exposing your children to new experiences and having a conversation with them you are developing their background experiences. This is critical when they come back to the classroom because when lessons are taught they have experiences they can draw from to improve their comprehension. Talking and writing about something you have personal experience with is much easier than trying to do this “blindly”. Aside from all that you can enjoy your time building memories with your family in a no-stress environment, which ultimately is the most rewarding thing we can all do.

Reminders:

Sept 20 Attendance Awards

  • 8:30-9:00 AM:               AM TK & Kinder Classes
  • 9:15-10:05 AM:              Fifth and Sixth Grade Classes
  • 10:40-11:30 AM:            Third, and Fourth Grade Classes
  • 12:00-12:50 PM:            PM TK, First, and Second  Grade Classes

Sep 21 Achievement Awards

  • 8:30-9:00 AM:                TK & Kinder Classes
  • 9:15-10:05 AM:              Fifth and Sixth Grade Classes
  • 10:40-11:30 AM:            Second, Third, and Fourth Grade Classes
  • 12:00-12:50 PM:            First Grade Classes

Last day of school Sep 21 dismissal at 1:15 pm

Have a great Fall break!

Mr. Mora

 

Sept 10-14

Hello McMillin Beagles! Well starting Wedneday we officially begin Parent-Teacher conferences. Please read on for some tips and ideas that should make your meeting as productive as possible:

A Tip Sheet for Parents

As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You and McMillin school have something in common: We both want your child to learn and do well. When parents and teachers talk to each other, each person can share important information about your child’s talents and needs. Each person can also learn something new about how to help your child. Parent–teacher conferences are a great way to start talking to your child’s teachers. This tip sheet suggests ways that you can make the most of parent-teacher conferences so that everyone wins, especially your child.

What should you expect?

⇒ A two-way conversation. Like all good conversations, parent–teacher conferences are best when both people talk and listen. The conference is a time for you to learn about your child’s progress in school. But it is also a time for the teacher to learn about what your child is like at home. When you tell the teacher about your child’s skills, interests, needs, and dreams, the teacher can help your child more.

⇒ Emphasis on learning. Good parent–teacher conferences focus on how well the child is doing in school. They also talk about how the child can do even better. To get ready for the conversation, look at your child’s homework, tests, and notices before the conference. Be sure to bring a list of questions that you would like to ask the teacher.

⇒ Opportunities and challenges. Just like you, teachers want your child to succeed. You will probably hear positive feedback about your child’s progress and areas for improvement. Be prepared by thinking about your child’s strengths and challenges beforehand. Be ready to ask questions about ways you and the teacher can help your child with some of his or her challenges

What should you talk to the teacher about?

⇒ Progress. Find out how your child is doing by asking questions like: Is my child performing at grade level? How is he or she doing compared to the rest of the class? What do you see as his or her strengths? How could he or she improve?

⇒ Assignments and assessments. Ask to see examples of your child’s work. Ask how the teacher gives grades.

⇒ Your thoughts about your child. Be sure to share your thoughts and feelings about your child. Tell the teacher what you think your child is good at. Explain what he or she needs more help with.

⇒ Support learning at home. Ask what you can do at home to help your child learn. Ask if the teacher knows of other programs or services in the community that could also help your child.

How should you follow up?

⇒ Make a plan. Write down the things that you and the teacher will each do to support your child. You can do this during the conference or after. Write down what you will do, when, and how often. Make plans to check in with the teacher in the coming months.

⇒ Schedule another time to talk. Communication should go both ways. Ask how you can contact the teacher. And don’t forget to ask how the teacher will contact you too. There are many ways to communicate—in person, by phone, notes, email. Make a plan that works for both of you. Be sure to schedule at least one more time to talk in the next few months.

⇒ Talk to your child. The parent–teacher conference is all about your child, so don’t forget to include him or her. Share with your child what you learned. Show him or her how you will help with learning at home. Ask for his or her suggestions.