Table Of Content

DOCUMENT RESUME PS 025 845 ED 411 991 Darby, Linda; Dorfman, Cynthia Hearn; LeGrand, Bob; Miranda, AUTHOR Simone; Sheedy, Christopher; Silverman, Kim; Vespucci, Barbara Welcome to School: Questions Parents Might Ask. TITLE National Parent Information Network, Champaign, IL. INSTITUTION Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), SPONS AGENCY Washington, DC. Media and Information Services.; National Library of Education (OERI/ED), Washington, DC. MIS-97-6604 REPORT NO 1997-00-00 PUB DATE 9p.; For earlier version of this brochure, see ED 400 120. NOTE Non-Classroom (055) Guides PUB TYPE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. EDRS PRICE Elementary Secondary Education; Evaluation Criteria; *Family DESCRIPTORS School Relationship; *Inquiry; Kindergarten; Middle Schools; *Parent Participation; *Parent School Relationship; *Parent Student Relationship; *Parent Teacher Cooperation; Preschool Education; School Readiness; Student Adjustment; Transitional Programs IDENTIFIERS *Questions ABSTRACT This pamphlet is designed to serve as a prompt for principals and teachers to help them anticipate questions parents might ask when they send their children to school for the first time or when they enroll their children in a different school. The pamphlet can also serve as a checklist for parents as they become involved with their children's education. Questions are organi7ed by different levels of schooling, from 4nclude those related to preschool to high school. Preschool questI, fostering social skills, preparing children for kindergarten. and helping with the transition to kindergarten. Elementary school questions address curriculum, parental involvement, and measuring children's academic and social progress. Questions for middle schools cover class size, the role of the guidance counselor, the transition to high school, and preparation for college. High school questions cover guidance available regarding course selection, college selection and preparation, and participation in technology events. General questions address school policy issues such as homework, promotion, prevention programs, absences, and computers. (LPP) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** 1 t I 7:1_ t 1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of EduCational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. L 11 Lfll r 2 L ft' JEST COPY MAMA Jr /I 11 11 11 11 li Preschool Questions 0 0 0 D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 hours of operation? A What are the In what ways does the school or child care nurture children? How does the school foster social skills? In what ways does the school develop intellectual curiosity? Is the school licensed? How much does the program cost? Are meals included in the fees? Do meals meet nutritional requirements? Are there resources available to help pay the fees? children are there A How large is the class? How many for each teacher? Is there an aide? What are the health requirements? How do you address "separation anxiety?" How do you prepare children for entry to kindergartenboth academically and socially? Do school readiness? you have a checklist for How can parents help with the transition to kindergarten? What do you suggest parents do when their children kindergarten? are not ready for How often should I be reading to my child? Is there a music and arts program? CD ED ED CD M -7 ED ED CD ED CD CD CD CD CD En ED CD CD CD Es E3 E:3 ED CD CD CD CD CD CD Elementary Schoo! Questions the school's total enrollment and average A What is class size? curriculum for my child's grade? A What is the parental involvement is the most A What type of helpful? involved? And what activities can A How can I become I do at home to reinforce school lessons? child's academic and social A How do you measure a progress? expected to read independently by A Are all students the end of the third grade? available for children who are behind A What help is and socially? or ahead academically when individual teachers and A What happens students just don't get along? Are children allowed to transfer to another class? I 4 1 3-1 -3 .-"D -73 771 -73 73 7:3 7:3 ED CD 73 !"_73 773 -1- -73 -1 71 -73 -1 --] --1 ) '73 -1 73 -D r attestor* Middle 5c.hoot claSs.size in the the enrollment and average A What is school? 4,4, available to address-theneeds A What programs are who are maturing at of children in this age group different rates during puberty? guidanCe the role of a middle school A What is arearsign'ed students counselor? About how many to each counselor? tutoring mentoring, peer counseling, or A Are there students who needinOre help? programs available to assigned lockers? Are students A homework should I expect A How much to do? students prepared for the transition to A How ore the'ts:iiSition? high school? How can parents ease .1Igebra students expected to take and A Are all high school? in order to move on to get on the school do to help student A What does college, track for college the right courses, financing information? REST COPY AVAILABLE 5 High School Questions 1 1 1E 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 What is the enrollment and average class size in the II i 1 school? I I What guidance is offered students regarding course 1 selection? What can parents do to help? 1 1 1 I A What help is available to students regarding college 1 I selection, SAT preparation, financial aid, college 1 applications, and scholarship information? What can 1 1 1 1 parents do to obtain this information? 3 placement courses and subjects are 1 1 A What advanced 1 available? How are students selected for these 1 1 courses? 1 1 1 I A Are there peer counseling, tutoring, or mentoring 1 programs? Is community service required? 1 Are internships, apprenticeships, or other school-to- 1 1 1 work programs available? 1 1 A What percentage of students graduate? 1 I What percentage of students go on to four-year 1 colleges or universities? Two-year community 1 1 1 colleges? Vocational education? 1 1 1 Does the school participate in or sponsor technology 1 1 1 events such as "Net Day"? 1 1 1 Are parents involved in developing the school's 1 1 technology plan? 1 1 1 1 I I I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 um. Inu is mu mui. al NM WM..... a 6 Genercilorot '7..'. -,L. ALli-A-.. .....;;;-7-- ::::,-:---.4,-,-.T-P 454,- k:,-:::S:- -!-: :tit 4trW-i.' , .: . . . ',. Whiit is the:SChootpaticy regarding .. ..i acciderniCreqUirenients? ..:_ A COMManiCatiOnbitie:iiihe school (3,1;3 ;'.'., A, best;WGi, to con-foal-child's teacher? '''''' homework? 1:::::. ?::::%": : ". A i'.':'_ .- A class'SchedUles7.:-:. ....... - ..,.. A testing? -.,7.'.;0--.-!.,,....,- :-..,_:.--: ... the next grade? A promotion to programs.gifted/talented i` A enrichment to con td w t. h..,o A v.. okn--- t-- e-e:t,...., .`o.p. po...r..- tiu'n''' A safe7. '. ,, . ,, ies f:f.,. ..., , . .. i1/4 ::. ? a 'Ale-04117,0 ,,it .-/N ,;,. o1ente7 i .''146, -7., ,. "fir .1,-7, 1 icis-''. .:44iP5-1,-. -- : ' ,;'- in.,vo yeMent programs?. A parent 7 '- schoo1.1MprOveme- nt plan? A . !,:. . . - .;, A visitors? 'i:b:4--.- ,,,,, "tv,... sponsored parent/student actill A school . ..._,. and Medication? : A hearth 4 -,,, A disciptine?.......: :.;!..i,,...:1,.-. A cfress?. ,f1.,d;$...::: . -ScliciiirCatenciarholidays. teacheq. A the IN- 4 4:W. ''''-' special.ac,tivrt!esZ..,>;v.--,..-(ir,'.--; - ,.,,,, q : ..;7_,'.4.-,4 ....Irp..,.:::,. . -: :,,, teacher qualifications? .- A ,...-..e..p ,,,,a',....,,,.,..:::. - placement? A student ....,'!Z- ..,, A, 3- and after,:schOol care? 60 ,.- .,. A before service?' T.P. A it ,-- A community - needs for children with specie) A services activities? A after-school after.16oOf clubs? feesfield trips, sports, A activity for activities r- A financialassistance -.;-... -, ..'='!..,.i.,`,4:-:*7.-..-.!,4,-,---...::. , st-IPP.!t-f4.41',..3.A'i:i.' $!ffi,:-=icesgj1,-:- '' i- aranci from sch .: A tranSPoilatiati parkiniji,'-**4(firea? 1,. .. breitkf6S-ts.and lunches? A school' ., o n dsabilityaCeounadl:tio- A ion? ia t '. AA sst&ce2 ..-,:s.;:'..!'Y. f n. A iriiPii-4c19. es comptird.i.0:: lit iciceSS, use sof- ... ...,. .. A ...t_tinq..ccr.npute; _;anirtiorv-- h does's. ;arf '-tireekrx,t. n- is f+ ere 'eig7- '''vt :.- _ c ' ,4 f:,....,..,7- BEST COPY MARA :.-P..-;i144.- :: LE . grnmsommimmiumummuml Tlis information pamphlet is designed to serve as a prompt for principals and teachers to I help them anticipate questions parents might ask when they send their children to school for the I first time or when they enroll their children in a different school. It can also serve as a checklist I for parents as they excitedly become involved with their children's education. Just as we are urged to bring questions with us when we visit the doctor, parents and school officials might want a list to help them remember important points to address. The answers to these questions might serve as themes for short flyer could I articles in school newsletters or this serve as a handout at conferences or meetings I with parents. As one school principal said, "It would be great to have a reminder of the I questions I might get from parents as I prepare to welcome students and their parents back to I school." We hope that this list will help. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I This information was developed from contributions made by teachers, researchers, and parents through the National Parent Information Network (NPIN) of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Reports of the Carnegie Task Force on Learning in the Primary Grades and the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development were also consulted. Dianne Rothenberg of the ERIC Clearinghouse and Joan Trumble of the National Library of Education coordinated the NPIN contributions. OERI staff who reviewed, edited, and designed the brochure include Linda Darby, Cynthia Hearn Dorfman, Bob LeGrand, Simone Miranda, Christopher Sheedy, Kim Silverman, and Barbara Vespucci. For more information on family involvement initia- tives and related publications, contact 1-800-U5A- LEARN, or the National Library of Education at 1-800-424-1616, or visit us via the Internet at http://www.ed.gov. MIS 97-6604 Office of Educational Research and Improvement .1111]13.1_131 3 31-1J_1_13...33-3..3_331.111 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION RIC Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERO Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) NOTICE REPRODUCTION BASIS This document is covered by a signed "Reproduction Release (Blanket)" form (on file within the ERIC system), encompassing all therefore, or classes of documents from its source organization and, does not require a "Specific Document" Release form. This document is Federally-funded, or carries its own permission to reproduce, or is otherwise in the public domain and, therefore, may be reproduced by ERIC without a signed Reproduction Release form (either "Specific Document" or "Blanket"). (9/92) ossaS 3Lks