School How-To's for Parents
You know how to fight for your child's rights, how to force your school into compliance, how to get the right evaluations. But do you know how to right a non-combative note to the teacher, prune your child's backpack, cover a textbook with a paper bag? Here are some tutorials for the more mundane aspects of parent-school interaction.
How to Prepare the Teacher for Your Child
Giving teachers the information they need to help your child is an imporant part of school advocacy. Here's how one reader translated my "preparing the school" resources to her child's specific situation.
Giving teachers the information they need to help your child is an imporant part of school advocacy. Here's how one reader translated my "preparing the school" resources to her child's specific situation.
How to Make a Paper-Bag Book Cover
An early homework assignment in a lot of schools is to cover textbooks. Here's how to turn a brown paper bag into a textbook protector -- just cut, fold and (if things look a little messy) tape.
An early homework assignment in a lot of schools is to cover textbooks. Here's how to turn a brown paper bag into a textbook protector -- just cut, fold and (if things look a little messy) tape.
How to Write a Note to the Teacher
When you spend a lot of time battling Child Study Teams and fighting for your child's rights, it can be hard to dial back and write a simple note to the teacher over a matter of minor import. Follow these steps to produce some friendly correspondence for a change.
When you spend a lot of time battling Child Study Teams and fighting for your child's rights, it can be hard to dial back and write a simple note to the teacher over a matter of minor import. Follow these steps to produce some friendly correspondence for a change.
How to Have a Productive Teacher Conference
A conference is a great opportunity to learn about how your child is doing in class and ways you can improve that. Here's how to make the most of that time with the teacher.
A conference is a great opportunity to learn about how your child is doing in class and ways you can improve that. Here's how to make the most of that time with the teacher.
How to Protest a Grade
When your child brings home a grade on a test, paper or report card that you feel is unjust, should you let it go or make a complaint? Here are some steps to take when following-up on a bad grade, or deciding not to.
When your child brings home a grade on a test, paper or report card that you feel is unjust, should you let it go or make a complaint? Here are some steps to take when following-up on a bad grade, or deciding not to.
How to Relieve School Anxiety
School can be a stressful and fearsome place for children, especially those with special needs. If your child is upset about school, here are some good ways to start a dialog and lessen the load.
School can be a stressful and fearsome place for children, especially those with special needs. If your child is upset about school, here are some good ways to start a dialog and lessen the load.
How to Reduce Backpack Overload
All kids struggle under the burden of overstuffed backpacks, but for children with special health, orthopedic or mobility needs, the problem can be particularly severe. Here's how to lighten the load.
All kids struggle under the burden of overstuffed backpacks, but for children with special health, orthopedic or mobility needs, the problem can be particularly severe. Here's how to lighten the load.