Simple Organized Solutions S.O.S.

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Simple Organized Solutions(S.O.S.)

• A comprehensive guide to common concerns for
  parents
• By Danielle Patti and Molly Moore

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S.O.S. Goals

• To provide parents and caregivers with
  information, guidance, and support for common
  concerns and issues regarding students in the
  elementary school and middle school.

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A little about ourselves

• Danielle Patti, School Counselor
• Molly Moore, School Psychologist

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SOS Topics Covered

• Study Skills
• High Stakes Testing
• General Education Special Services Offered in the
  Schools
• Special Education
• Child Mental Health Issues Part 1
• Child Mental Health Issues Part 2
• Child Mental Health Issues Part 3
• Helping your Child with Social Issues

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How to Help Your Child with Study Skills-
Elementary Middle School

• How to help your child with homework
• Organizational skills needed for academic success
• Creating a positive home-study area
• Preparing for parent-teacher conferences

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Lets Take a Moment

• What are your concerns regarding your childs
  homework?
• What strengths do you have to help your child
  with homework?
• What has worked or helped you in the past?
• What hasnt worked?

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Homework and the Middle School

• My professional opinion- if your child does his
  homework at the middle school, he WILL PASS!!!
• Homework is often counted as a grade
• Material on the homework is usually what is on
  the tests
• Teachers generally give PLENTY of time for
  students to get larger projects done

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Helping your Middle School Child with Homework

• Tools available to you
• Homework hotline
• Teacher websites- swcs.wnyric.org
• TWTh after school hours- 245-330
• Weekly checking slips, 5 week notices
• School is open until 1100 pm (loading dock)
• Striders tutoring

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Homework Hotline

• 484-6843
• Updated daily after 330
• You need to know your childs team number

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Southwestern Website

• www.swcs.wnyric.org
• Click on Middle School
• Click on Team/ Faculty Pages
• On the Team Page, find what grade your child is
  in, and click on that homework page.
• Print out the weekly schedule and post it in a
  visible site.

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After School Help

• On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, teachers are
  available for homework or extra help from
  245-330. An after-school bus will transport
  your child home.
• If needed, the team can help your child come up
  with a schedule.
• Make this mandatory for your child!
• If homework is a problem, have your child bring
  home what she did after school and show you that
  its done, check it against the website.

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Weekly Checking Slips

• If needed, you can request a weekly checking
  slip- you need to contact the teachers.
• Weekly checking slips indicate your childs
  average, and whether homework was complete or
  incomplete.
• Checking slips are available for English, Math,
  Science, Social Studies, Language, and Technology
  (7th)

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Five Week Notices

• If your child has a 70 average or lower in any of
  his courses at the 5-week point of a marking
  period, the teacher will inform you in the mail
  with a 5-week notice.
• The idea is that your child will still have
  enough time to improve his grade.

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School is open until 1100 pm!

• Check your childs homework immediately, and if
  she doesnt have what she needs to complete it,
  send her back to school.
• If you need to come back at night, the door by
  the loading dock is open until 1100 at night.

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Helping your Elementary Student with Homework

• The single most important way to help your child
  with homework is to communicate with the teacher.
  
• Your child has an agenda in 3rd, 4th, and 5th
  grade. It should come home every day.
• Special arrangements can be made with the
  classroom teacher for after school homework help
  on Wednesdays or ZEAL tutoring on Thursdays at
  Zion Covenant. Transportation is available for
  both services.

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Striders TutoringLighted Schoolhouse Tutoring
Program

• Chautauqua Striders, Inc. provides FREE academic
  tutoring for students in our area.
• FREE tutoring is available for elementary and
  middle school students at the Jamestown Savings
  Bank Ice Arena on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-7
  pm.
• Your child would work with a trained tutor for
  approximately one hour.
• Appointments are needed to participate.

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Lighted Schoolhouse Tutoring Program

• If you are interested in this program, contact
  Striders at 488-2203. Erica Lindon is the
  coordinator (ext. 233).
• Express your interest in tutoring sessions for
  your child, and they will contact you to set up a
  one-hour appointment for your child.

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Computers and Printers

• Your child has ample access to the technology he
  needs to complete assignments.
• There are computers available in classrooms, in
  the library, and there is an airport system in
  our school for computer access.

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Common Issues

• You dont do it like Mrs. Schwartz!
• Its been awhile since youve had to multiply and
  divide fractions, and you dont want to have to
  re-learn it either!
• My child WASTES time when he is doing his
  homework, and he ends up with work past his
  bedtime!
• Whats up with the Reds, Yellows and Greens my
  kid is talking about???
• My teachers are unfair with grading, and they
  hate me!

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Golden Rules of Homework

• Consistency- give fair, consistent consequences
  for not completing homework, and motivating
  rewards when you see a positive change.
• Homework does more than boost your childs
  skills.
• If your child has persistent problems, contact
  the school counselor, psychologist, or teachers.

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Organizational Skills in the Middle School

• Your child needs to learn to keep her locker,
  binders, backpack, and study area organized
• Tools your child needs for successful
  organization
• Backpack
• Binders/ Folders
• Agenda- provided by the school
• Sticky Notes

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DISORGANIZATION

• If your child is disorganized-
• Focus on one aspect at a time, and consistently
  reinforce how important it is to stay organized.
• Show your child what you do to stay organized.
• Have a specific area in your house for school
  work.

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Disorganization Cont

• Help your child on a regular basis, until she
  gets the hang of it herself.
• Talk to school personnel (teachers, counselors,
  etc.) if your child continues to have difficulty
  with disorganization.
• Refer to parent handout 1 Organization Advice
  for Parents.

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More Organizing Tips

• Use checklists- put homework, chores, practices,
  etc. on the list.
• Create a master calendar for the whole family-
  include big projects or homework.
• Clear out backpacks, study areas, and folders on
  a weekly basis.
• Prepare for the next day before bedtime

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Creating a Positive Study Area

• Consider the following
• Lighting
• Seating
• Noise
• Time
• Movement
• Temperature

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Projects

• Teachers give PLENTY of time to complete lengthy
  projects, and often break up the projects with
  manageable due-dates.
• Teachers give a detailed explanation of the
  assignment, ask to see it!
• Time Management!

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Studying for Tests

• Most kids dont know how to study for tests in an
  efficient manner, this is a learned skill!
• Ask your child if he was given a study packet
  (most teachers give them one).
• Use flashcards for things like vocabulary
  spelling
• Encourage your child to stay after school the day
  before a big test.
• Consult with your childs teacher about any areas
  he needs to work on.

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Parent-Teacher ConferencesMiddle School

• Because of the team concept at the middle school,
  you usually do not meet with a teacher one-on-one
  during conferences. Instead, your childs team of
  teachers (Eng, Math, Science, and S.S.) are
  available to meet with you all at once.

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Parent-Teacher ConferencesMiddle School

• Each Team of teachers has a common meeting time,
  and they are available to meet with parents M-Th.
• If you wish to schedule a Team meeting, call the
  Guidance and Attendance office 484-6842. Ask Mrs.
  Wells to set up a Team meeting.

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Team Meetings

• Be prepared to meet with at least 4 teachers. If
  you will be uncomfortable with this, you can
  schedule a meeting with an individual teacher
  instead.
• During Team meetings, teachers usually provide
  you with your childs average, homework
  completion, and any social or behavioral
  concerns.
• Sometimes the teachers request a parent to come
  in and meet if there is a concern.

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Team Meetings

• Come prepared- bring something to write with, and
  write down any concerns or questions you have
  before your meeting.
• Think about any possible solutions you may have
  for the problem, and ask the teachers to
  brainstorm with you.
• Ask for a follow-up meeting, or ask the teachers
  how you should communicate with them about your
  childs progress.

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Team Meetings

• If you would like someone specific there (e.g.,
  the physical education teacher or the principal),
  make sure you let Mrs. Wells know that when you
  set up the meeting.
• School counselors and psychologists are always
  invited to team meetings, but if you want one of
  us there, make sure you stress that to Mrs.
  Wells, and she will communicate that to us.

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Parent Teacher Conferences Elementary School

• Teachers meet with parents one on one or with
  other support staff that work with your child.
• Days and times are designated throughout the year
  and can be found on the school calendar.
• If you would like a counselor, psychologist,
  nurse or other school official to attend make a
  request to the teacher. They are happy to
  include anyone that can help.

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Preparation for Parent Teacher Conferences

• Talk with your child and ask what he would like
  you to discuss with the teacher.
• Ask what he thinks the teacher will say.
• Ask about the things he likes and dislikes, his
  problems and successes.
• Let him know that after the conference you will
  discuss what the teacher said with him.

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Questions to ask during conferences

• What is being covered in this grade/subject this
  year?
• What are your expectations for homework? Has my
  child missed any assignments?
• How are my childs work habits?
• Is my child able to do the ____ (ex. Math) you
  would expect for a child in this grade?

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More Questions to Ask

• Does my child get along well with others?
• Does my child cooperate in class and follow
  directions?
• What can I do at home to help my child?

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At the Conference

• Keep an open mind.
• Ask to see your childs work.
• Ask the teacher to explain anything you do not
  understand.
• Sum up what you think has been said.
• Ask about the best way to contact the teacher.

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After the Conference

• Talk with your child about your meeting.
• Stress the positive things the teacher said and
  talk about suggestions for improvement.
• Make a plan.
• Do not wait until the next grading period ends
  before you check on your childs progress.
• Reward success.
• Refer to Handout 2 Ten Suggestions to Help Your
  Child

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Emailing Teachers- CAUTION!

• If you would like to be in communication with
  your childs teachers about his homework and
  progress via email, ask them about this.

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Additional Resources

• Books, handouts, websites
• Striders Tutoring Contact Info- 488-2203
  tutoring is available for elementary and middle
  school students on Mondays and Wednesdays at the
  Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena.

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Questions/ Comments?
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Evaluation

• Any future topics you would like discussed?
• Any further questions about this topic?