PARENT INFORMATION PACKET SHAKER ROAD OPEN HOUSE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

GUIDELINES & RESOURCES FOR THE HOME/SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

@turtlechronicle
http://www.engageny.org/parent-and-family-resources

Dear Shaker Road Family,

Welcome to our Open House! Your presence this evening demonstrates your interest in your childs education and more specifically, your willingness to consider a meaningful partnership between home and school. The well-being of our children is fundamental to our daily goals as parents and it is sometimes a bit unnerving to consider how much we must rely on others to accomplish those goals. But rely on one another we must and that is the purpose of this information. Your son or daughter is at Shaker Road for a bit more than 6 hours a day. During that time we will always be expected to keep them safe, get them fed, exercise their body and mind. Over the course of any given day, we are hoping to provide your child with as much direct instruction in Literacy and Math as we possibly can. Taking into consideration the aforementioned expectations for safety, nourishment and exercise, we are fortunate to get in a couple of hours of direct instruction in these areas for all children. Some require and receive a bit more time either for remediation and/or enrichment but overall, this is generally how each day will proceed. And this is where the partnership between home and school is so vital to your childs growth. Even if we were to forsake the New York State mandates for the students lunchtime and recess and Phys. Ed. time, or time in Art and Music, we would not find enough time in the school day to adequately cover all that we have been asked to deliver in the newly implemented Common Core Learning Standards. Im sure that there are some elementary schools and/or school districts that have forsaken some of the things Ive mentioned in order to find the time to teach the Core and teach to the test. Some have chosen to do so and too many others have been forced to do so by New York State. In either case, it is hard to make the case that this is a student-centered approach. The Common Core represents high expectations and more difficult work for students. Thats ok! That is the way it always has been at Shaker Road. For the Shaker Road family, the challenge is always welcome! But we cannot do it on our own in the time we have the kids here each day and this is where the students family comes in. Please consider the suggestions that you find on the following pages and look to implement them in every reasonable way at your home. Please visit and look over the resources that have been highlighted and suggested in these pages. Please think about the many ways that you can help your child and your childs teacher. And always know how much we appreciate your support for Shaker Road! William E. Dollard, Principal @turtlechronicle

COMMON CORE LEARNING STANDARDS (CCLS) EXPECTATIONSSUGGESTIONSRESOURCES

A. What to Expect 1) CCLS are clear, consistent and aligned to college expectations and career readiness 2) CCLS involve rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills 3) CCLS are evidence-based, which means that outcomes must reflect what is learned 4) CCLS are informed by other high-performing countries to prepare for global economy 5) CCLS represent significant shifts in Literacy expectations and student learning 6) CCLS Math covers fewer topics but at far greater depth; know how many ways! B. Suggestions for Family 1) Review the parents guides available on engageNY and other sites; pay close attention to information about rigor, routine and how to support students 2) Review the Common Core Standards in Literacy and Math for your childs grade -level 3) When completing schoolwork with your child, always have them demonstrate to you what they knowhave them prove it to you 4) Look over international rankings of national education systems, consider both where the US falls and what cultural differences might explain those rankings 5) Provide children with access to nonfiction, periodicals and practice reading with them on a nightly basis; model a love of reading for children 6) Practice math facts and Math literacy every night by completing homework and accessing GoMath online resources C. Resources Students and Family
1) http://www.engageny.org/sites/default/files/resource/attachments/parent_workshop_backpack_g uide.pdfhttp://www.corestandards.org/ 2) http://www.corestandards.org/ 3) http://www.engageny.org/sites/default/files/resource/attachments/parent_workshop_what_paren ts_can_do_handout.pdf 4) http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pisa/ 5) http://www.engageny.org/sites/default/files/resource/attachments/shifts-for-students-andparents.pdf 6) Teachers provide all students with login info for GoMath online resources

Common Core Student Achievement TO DO List

1. Be Organized a. Designate a time and an area in the house where homework and independent practice occurs b. Use a family calendar to visually show upcoming assignments and commitments c. Keep track of time spent on reading, Math and other schoolwork d. Bookmark the GoMath website information and visit it nightly e. Budget your time so that you are not interrupted; remove distractions (i.e. phone, etc.) f. Limit evening activities on school nights (sports practices, for instance) 2. Foster Motivation a. Involve your child in all decisions to be made for item #1 b. Always look to make connections between schoolwork topics and your childs li fe c. Be sure that your childs interests guide all items where a choice exists 3. Build Confidence a. Consistently put your child in a position to be successful by reading books at the right level, finding everyday ways to enforce what they know and use Math in daily life b. Always offer wait time to allow your child time to correct their mistakes or think through a challenge to answer what they know 4. Keep Learning the Heart of the Matter a. A childs Literacy and Math education is crucial to school enjoyment and self-confidence b. Although sports and fine arts and other activities offer great learning opportunities for kids, they will always be co-curricular (until they go pro as adults, of course!)

Thank You for Your Support of Shaker Road!!