Being your child's advocate

Last update: October 5, 2007 - 6:16 PM

BEING YOUR CHILD'S ADVOCATE

Don't wait until fall conferences to talk to your child's teacher if you already have concerns. The sooner you can work on a resolution, the better your child's school experience will be.

Call or send an e-mail to introduce yourself if you haven't met your child's teacher. If possible, volunteer to help in the classroom or chaperone a field trip. That will give the teacher the chance to put a face to a name.

Keep up to date on school and classroom news via school websites. Many teachers post homework assignments, upcoming test information and more on classroom Web pages. And many schools have current grades online that parents can access with a password.

Enlist a mediator. School principals, social workers and guidance counselors are available to help mediate difficult situations between parents and teachers, if necessary.

JULIE PFITZINGER