Letter+to+Parents+5+Hannah

September 7, 2007 Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to another academic year. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Mme. Hannah and I am your child’s Gr. 5 Intensive French teacher for this upcoming academic year. I am looking forward to a very energized year filled with learning. I would like to take this opportunity to state that your child’s education does not simply take place in the classroom alone. Your child’s education involves all parties; teacher, student and parent(s). Because your child is in Intensive French, many of you may feel that it is difficult to help your child with the work that we are covering. There may be some things that your child may need to accomplish independently. However, there are several things that you can help your child with in order to help them have a successful year in Intensive French. Enclosed with this letter are helpful hints or suggestions that you can help your child with on a regular basis. I truly believe that if we (students, parents, and teacher) work together each student will undoubtedly have a wonderful academic year. Thank-you as always for your continued support and cooperation. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, Mme. Cindy Hannah Gr. 5 Intensive French Phone: 847-6203 cindy-lynn.hannah@nbed.nb.ca


 * Helpful Suggestions:**
 * 1. __Communication:__** Communication between home and school is crucial to the success of your child’s academic year. As a result, I want to take this opportunity to advise you that I will be communicating home on a regular basis through the use of your child’s agenda. It is expected that all students are to copy their homework in their agendas on a daily basis. This practice is a tool that I use in helping students to learn to be responsible for their homework as well as being organized. I am also expecting that each student have the agenda signed by their parent or guardian. I feel that this practice is an excellent method of communicating to parents what topics are being covered in class. I would appreciate that every effort be made in reviewing on a daily basis the homework that has been assigned with your child and then signing the agenda once the homework has been completed. I will also be continuing to inform parents of important dates; events and activities through the use of our school’s talk mail. If for some reason you are not receiving talk mail, please do not hesitate to contact the school and speak with our secretary to have your name added to our list. Another communication tool that I will be trying this year with the help of Mrs. Smyth is the use of a class website. On this website I will post weekly homework assignments, class news, events or activities. I will forward this information in a letter to go home to all parents in the near future. It is my desire as your child’s teacher to teach them the skills to become independent and effective learners. However, in order for this to happen we need to work collaboratively so that we can achieve this goal.


 * 2. __Homework expectations:__** The Intensive French Program is designed so that much of the work is to be completed during class time. However, on occasion your child may have an assignment that may require additional work at home. These assignments will always be designed that your child will know exactly what they need to do independently in order to complete the assignment. It will also be expected that participate in an English reading activity every day and journal their reading activity in a reading log. Eventually once the students are more comfortable reading in French, the students will be expected to journal their French reading activity. I will be sending home specific details and instructions for this assignment in the near future.


 * 3. __Effective Homework Practices and Study Skills:__** In order for your child to have a successful academic year it is necessary that each student learns effective homework practices and study skills. These practices or skills must continue at home as well as in school. I have included with this letter a few suggestions that will assist your child develop good homework practices. I would encourage all parents to review these practices with your child.
 * 1) An expectation should be set that homework is required to be completed and completed well.
 * 2) Establish a study routine. Children should be in the habit of studying at the same time and in the same place each day. Children and parents should decide on the study routine together, taking into account other activities, family commitments, and favorite TV shows. Also, consider the child's ability to concentrate at different times of the day.
 * 3) Establish a place to study with good lighting and a table or desk. Some children prefer to study in their own room. Others do better if they are studying at the kitchen table or other location near parental help.
 * 4) Have supplies/equipment on hand including binders, notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, assignment books, erasers, dictionaries, a calculator, ruler, computer, tape, glue, reference books and/or software programs. Parents can avoid last-minute panic by asking before dinner whether their child has all the supplies they need for that night's assignments.
 * 5) Demonstrate, and enforce, that completing homework is a higher priority than other activities. A child should not watch TV and talk with friends before completing homework, unless time later in the day has been set aside upon for homework completion.
 * 6) Reduce activities if a child has so many commitments that there is insufficient time or energy for homework.
 * 7) Have help available for every subject. This might be a parent, neighbor, friend, teacher hot line, an on-line homework service, or a tutor. The helper needs to be someone who is knowledgeable about the subject and who can help the child without becoming frustrated or angry.
 * 8) Establish a family expectation that homework and studying for tests is expected and takes priority over other activities.
 * Homework Tips Cited on: ([|www.teachersandfamilies.com])**