Report Cards

As you know, your child's report card will be available online on December 19^th. Teachers have spent countless hours assessing, observing and reflecting on students' progress, to accurately report on strengths, challenges and next steps planned for learning. Here are some tips from education.com to help start a positive conversation on the topic of learning, as well as to discuss how he/she is doing in each subject, what is easy or challenging, and how you may help him/her to continue to learn.

• Ask your child to reflect on how his/her learning. This opens up the dialogue about learning and it sets the tone for parents to listen.
• Offer specific praise and encouragement, instead of broad statements. Try: "You worked very in math grade this term, instead of "Great job in math."
• Focus on learning and improving. Instead of telling your child to pull up her history grade, talk together to find a way he/she may improve in that class. Come up with a plan. Write it down. Finally, share it with the teacher, so that you're all on the same page.
• Handle praise with care. If your child consistently brings home amazing report cards, it may be difficult to know what to say. "Good job" loses its meaning and has almost no affect. Consider reminding your child how he/she got those grades, and prompt to encourage pride and self-satisfaction. "I am not surprised you have all these great grades on your report card. I saw you working very hard this term and it looks like it has paid off. I bet you feel very proud!" We hope these tips are helpful in facilitating your conversations around the topic of report cards.