NOVEMBER MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I hope all a relaxing, restful time with
family and friends.
The other night showed me all that I should be thankful
for. On Friday, November 16, the NMS
PTSA hosted a “Fun Night” for all of our sixth through eighth grade
students. It was a tremendous night of
basketball, dancing, ‘Minute to Win It’ games, and delicious baked goods. The kids were just being kids, and it was
wonderful to see. When people ask me,
why middle school? Nights like that
prove it in spades for me.
With that, I must thank the PTSA and the parent-volunteers
for hosting and chaperoning this incredible event. It took a lot of planning and a Friday night
out, but I know the students appreciated it greatly.
I also want to thank all the teachers, who came in and
participated with the students: Ms.
Kelly Rich, Mr. Tommy Thompson, Ms. Cortney Kelly, Mr. Tim McLaughlin, Ms. Amy
Anderson, Ms. Beth Evans, and Ms. MaryAnne Fisher. It was a fun night for everyone.
We are already done with one-quarter of the school year; it
is truly hard to believe. Last Friday,
you received your child’s 1st Quarter Report Card. Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Thursday,
November 29, evening, 6-8:30 PM, and Tuesday, December 4, afternoon/evening, 4-6:30
PM. These conferences are only five
minutes in duration and may not be enough time for a complete discussion
regarding your child’s progress or lack of it. If you feel that more time is needed, use your
appointment to reschedule a time that would offer both you and the teacher
enough time to adequately discuss your child’s present situation. This will open the door and begin the
communication that is necessary to bring all of us to the same page on your
child’s educational growth. I will
repeat something I mentioned from the progress reports, the marks that you have
found on the report card should never be a surprise to either you or the
student. An article by the NEA which I feel can help with
conferences: “How To Make Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child” I
have cut down to some helpful hints is as follows:
“You've been asked to attend a regularly scheduled ‘report
card’ conference with your child's teacher. Teachers like to meet with parents from time
to time to discuss how to help students do their best in school. All children learn in different ways. They have their own individual personalities
and their own work habits. To help their
students learn new knowledge and skills, teachers must know as much as they can
about each child. No one knows more
about and has more influence over your children than you. That's why teachers need your help to do a
first-class job. Working together, you
and the teacher can help your child have a successful school year.
Here are some things to keep in mind before the conference:
- Start
the conference right: plan not to
run over the amount of time that has been set aside.
- The best conferences are those in which both teachers and parents stay calm and try hard to work together for one purpose and one purpose only: to help your child do well. Arguing, or blaming each other for problems your child is having, helps no one.
For getting ready
for the conference, each teacher will probably come prepared with
knowledge or samples of your children’s work and with ideas to help them do
even better in school. You should get
ready for each conference, too. Talk to your children before the
conference. Find out how and maybe why
your child is doing well or not so. Also,
ask your children if there is anything they would like you to talk about with
their teachers.
Before you go to the
school, write notes to yourself about:
- things
about your child's home life you feel it’s important for the teacher to
know
- questions
about your child’s progress
- how you and the school can work together to help your child
During the conference, some good questions to ask are these:
- Is my child working up to his or her ability?
- Does
my child participate in class discussions and activities?
- Has my child missed any
assignments?
- Have you noticed any
sudden changes in the way my child acts?
- What kinds of things should I do to help my child's progress (especially in terms of Homework, studying for tests/quizzes, writing assignments, etc.)?
It’s a good idea to ask your most important questions first,
just in case time runs out before you and the teacher have a chance to discuss
them all. Be sure to ask the teacher
for specific suggestions on ways to help your child do better. This is the most important part of the
meeting. It will become your action
plan. If the teacher says something
you don't quite understand, don't be shy about asking for an explanation. It's a good idea to end the conference by
summing up decisions you've made together. If needed, ask to meet again.
After the conference, one
should start immediately on the action plan you and the teacher worked out
together. Discuss the plan with your
child. Make sure he or she knows that
you and the teacher care. To see if the
action plan is working, watch your child's behavior and check your child's
class work and homework. Stay in regular
touch with the teacher to discuss the progress your child is making. Meeting with your child's teachers should help
build strong parent-teacher partnerships—partnerships that are needed if you
and your child's teachers are to reach your common goal of helping your child
get the best education possible.” The
National PTA, National Education Association of the United States
The Nichols Middle School faculty, staff and I wish all of our
parents and guardians the happiest and healthiest of Thanksgivings. Enjoy the special time that a holiday like
this creates among our families.
Thank you,
M. R. Geoghegan
