Tips and Newsletters

Tips for Parents from Oak Grove Middle School

1. Get to know the teachers.  It's a good idea to meet each of your child's teachers.  Ask about their expectations.  Find out how much time your child should spend on homework each night.  Find out whether there will be regularly scheduled tests and if so, when.  Ask about the best way to get in touch if you have questions.  If the teachers use e-mail, be sure to get their addresses.
2. Find a niche for yourself at your child's school.  Volunteer at school.  Help with book or science fair, chaperone dances or field trips, patrol the school, clean up days, etc.  Being in the school is a great way to get a feel for what goes on there.  Do behind-the-scenes work.  If you can't be in school during the day, ask teachers and other school personnel to pass along some work that you can do on your own.  Photocopy homework assignments, collect recyclables for a science or art project; serve on the School Site Council; join our middle school PTSA or ELAC.
3. Go to school meetings and events.  Attending concerts, plays, assemblies, meetings, and other activities is a good way to become familiar with your child's school community.
4. Read about the school.  Oak Grove sends to parents information about rules and curriculum.  We also send a school bulletin with information about upcoming events.
5. Find out about homework assignments and school tests. Oak Grove has the Homelink program where teachers list homework assignments, attendance and discipline records.  Every student has a personal access code.  Get in the habit of checking it regularly.  If not, contact your child's teachers and ask them to alert you when there's an important project or test coming up. Keep track of your child's progress.  If his or her grades slip contact his or her teacher immediately.  Homework is a priority before going out to play or watching TV.
6. Talk to your child about school. Ask specific questions to draw out your child.  Ask "How do you think you did on the math test?" "What games did you play in PE?" Have a conversation about school with your child every day.
7. Give your child a quiet place to study and do homework.  Find an area in your home that is free of distraction where your child can concentrate on homework.  Be available to help only if your child has a question.  Insist that your child has a consistent study time every day.
8. Check you child's homework, but don't do it for him or her. Offer to check math problems, proofread written papers, and look over spelling words.  If you find a mistake, point it out to your child and help him or her figure out the correct answer.
9. Post a family calendar in a central place.  Write down important school dates, including parent meetings, due dates for projects, and tests.  Encourage your child to add to the calendar and to check it daily.
10. Encourage your child to read 30 minutes daily.  Model sitting down with your child and reading together for half an hour.  Visit the public library to check out books.