Additionally, many local unions affiliated with New York State United Teachers are committing time and resources to initiatives that improve connections to parents. Teachers and their unions are committed to providing the answers and support parents need to help their children learn. Just a good news phone call to say, for example, 'Johnny had a really good day at school today. Taylor sets aside a portion of each day to write notes home recognizing students' accomplishments. However, when doling out compliments, she takes care not to give students a false sense of pride.
Students know when they've really done work and earned rewards.
To give parents a firsthand look at their children's world, Taylor regularly invites parents in for class visits beyond standard parent night events. Many parents will say, 'Wow, that's really hard,' when they see what their children have to do. During these sessions, Taylor shares home-tutoring techniques such as using flashcards and comprehension questions and sends parents home with helpful material to reinforce classroom learning. We try to send home activities that will help parents and kids both bond and have fun. Communication is the name of the game - and the more detailed, the better, agreed Neil Rothman, a science teacher at Schreiber High in Nassau County.