By Michael Shaughnessy
My book is written to give parents and caregivers suggested strategies to use with their middle school student. Parents want to and need to help their children with schoolwork and organization, but they may be unsure what strategies to use. Robert N. Walrond.
1) Why did you write this new book, “Every Parent’s Guide to Middle School Success”?
My book is written to give parents and caregivers suggested strategies to use with their middle school student. Parents want to and need to help their children with schoolwork and organization, but they may be unsure what strategies to use. I brought together methods I have used and suggested during my years as a middle school teacher.
2) Why is the parent the crux, the focal point of it all?
Middle school is a challenging time for students but is also a time when parents might begin to relax their oversight of their children when it comes to school. Parents may feel their child is old enough to handle the responsibilities of middle school on their own. Many students can. But as well, parents need to be there as a safety net for their student if and when the students encounter difficulty with their schoolwork.
Teachers are as busy and overbooked as anyone. They see 30-35 students in a class with five classes a day being common. Middle schools, like all schools are busy and active places. Parents play a vital role in the education of the middle school student. But, so does the teacher and the student. The parents are a vital part of the triangle of support it takes to educate the student. The parent, teachers and student need to work together with each being as integral as the other. Without the parents, who often have more influence on the child, the education process becomes more difficult.
3) How can parents take the responsibility for what happens in middle school?
Parents can help the middle schools by being there to help their children with their education. Parents’ role is very significant to the students’ success. Nothing is easy, but parents supporting their children educationally is benefits the student to a huge extent and the school in general.
4) I see a lot of these middle school kids and they are texting like there is no tomorrow. How can parents communicate with their child?
Our society has so many distractions, especially in the electronic arena. Even with all the way to communicate, effective communication can still eludes us. In the home, the parents can set the tone and expectations about life and school. Time could be set aside when all electronics are turned off and ignored. Parents should make this a priority even in a busy life. Sports may be important, but so too is an education. This “quiet time” is to be used to discuss school and homework, check the students’ academics and determine how the past week of school has gone. It can also be used by the parents and the students to discuss the value and purpose of the students’ education and reinforce its importance. Parents need to commit to this time period, enforce it and benefit from it.
5) How can parents find out what is really happening at school?
There are a variety of ways for parents to learn about and be informed about what is taking place at their child’s school. Parents should make it a priority to attend Back To School Night in the fall. This will introduce the parents to the teachers and pick up any handouts the teachers or the school may have. Parents should plan to attend even if they have read all the handouts that have been sent home. It gives parents a “feel” for what their child’s school day is like. Parents can visit the school or district web site to learn about the school. Parents can contact the teacher with specific question. Another reason to attend Back To School night is it will give parents further information on how to contact the teacher(s) or the school.
6) How many school activities should they be involved with? And when is it all too much and results in stress for all concerned?
If some of the steps in question 5 are done, most likely parents have involved themselves enough. Part of it will depend on what the students’ needs are. Point is for parent to have an awareness of the school and the schoolwork that is expected. People have to find their own balance but any involvement will be of great benefit.
7) How much should parents be involved?
Parent involvement should not necessarily go to the extreme. Acknowledging that everyone is pressed for time, parent involvement can take a variety of forms. A parent checking the student management system is being involved. Attending a conference is being involved. Checking the school or district web site is being involved. All involvement is local and when parents focus on their student, good things can happen.
8) Why is it important to listen to what is happening carefully?
For their own benefit and that of their children, parents should be “tuned” in to what is happening at school. It is part of the community where they live and a significant part of their child’s daily life. To keep themselves informed, parents will help the educational community. If a situation at a school seems out of character for the school, parents should take the time to get an accurate account of the events.
9) In your mind, why do you feel it important that parents attend each and every School Conference?
Middle schools may or may not have conference times set up as is often found in grade schools. But if conferences are offered and the teachers feel a conference is needed, then parent should make every effort to attend. It is the education of their child that is the issue and it takes all of the major stakeholders-student, teachers and parents- to increase the success rate. The conference is the opportunity to bring the most important parties together to work on success in middle school.
10) Why is it important that parent be courteous with teachers and administration?
If an issue arises at a school, the truth and fairness is everyone’s goal-the teacher, administrator, parent and student. Depending on the issue, tempers and emotions can spiral to the point of making matters worse. Emotions run high as it involves someone’s child and that is understandable. Allowing the process to work itself out is important to finding a solution.
11) It seems commonsensical, but why is it important to pay close attention to how your child is doing?
If parents don’t, a major motivation to learn goes missing. If parents do not focus on their students’ academics, then the student will lose some interest. Teachers need partners in the educational process. Not to do the work for the student but to support the value, purpose and end result of education. Parent attitude toward education is so vital.
12) Why and when should parents meet with teachers one on one –?
Parents should consider meeting with a teacher when the parent sees or senses something out of the norm for their child. Lower grades, no homework being done. Sometimes “answers” or “solutions” can be obtained by contacting the teacher. Again, attending Back To School Night will help inform parents about how to contact a teacher.
13) What have I neglected to ask?
Your questions are comprehensive. A burning question is “how much is too much and how much is not enough” in re: to parent involvement. It is not a steady line, but it would instead fluctuate. It depends upon the student. If the student is doing well, perhaps the parent backs off their oversight a little. But when the parent notices the need to intervene again, they need to act. As well, parents should discuss often with their child about why the parents are checking on their school work.
14) Where can parents, teachers and counselors get a copy of your book?
To obtain a copy people can access Amazon.com and enter a search using the title of the book, Every Parent’s Guide to Middle School Success. People can also enter Amazon through my website, www.yourmiddleschoolsuccess.com.
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Michael F. Shaughnessy is Senior Columnist at EducationNews.org.
Used with the permission of EducationNews.org.
