• Parent Page   

    You are your child's first and most important teacher

    Do you have a spare 1/2 hour in your week? Come read to a class! Or share your expertise.

    We would love to see you!

Parent Guides to Common Core

Empower Yourself!

PTA Parents' Guides to Common Core

Guía Para Padres Para Fomentar El Éxito Escolar

Parent- Teacher Partnership

  • Research shows that children do better in school when parents talk often with teachers and become involved in the school. There are number of ways that parents and teachers can communicate with each other, rather than relying on the scheduled parent-teacher conferences. Close communications between parents and teachers can help the student.

    Teachers usually welcome meeting their students' parents early in the school year. Making an effort to do this will help the teacher better understand you, your child, and how you will support the education of your child. Teachers appreciate knowing that parents are concerned and interested in their child's progress. And, this helps open the lines of communication.  http://urbanext.illinois.edu/

    • Check student progress and grades online weekly
    • Check teacher and school websites frequently
    • Exchange email information with your child's teacher(s)

Parent Engagement

  • Studies have indicated that children whose parents and/or other significant adults share in their formal education tend to do better in school.

    Some benefits that have been identified that measure parental involvement & engagement in education include:

    • Higher grades and test scores 
    • Long term academic achievement 
    • Positive attitudes and behavior 
    • More successful programs 
    • More effective schools http://urbanext.illinois.edu/

Health and Behavior

Give Your Child the World!

  • Children who have a broad foundation of knowledge and background on a variety of subjects will find school and learning easier and more interesting than those who do not.

    Parents have the privilege and responsibility to share the world with their children. Talking with your child about life's everyday experiences will help each of you understand the others' viewpoints, values, dreams, and interests.

    Parents need not only talk, but also listen to their children. Answering questions, or helping children find the answers, will help your child develop a sense of value and self-respect. Many parents think activities such as going to the zoo, museums, or shows make up for lost time with their children. But, there can be just as much educational value in everyday activities, such as going to the bank, going grocery shopping, or doing a project at home. Parents just need to plan ahead a little to help their child discover the world.

    Here are a few suggestions for activities to enjoy with your child:

    • Watch news and documentaries on TV.
    • Rent, borrow from the library or buy educational videos.
    • Visit natural history museums, science museums, art museums, children's museums, zoos, botanical gardens, and historical sites.
    • Experience national or state parks and forests. Sign up for a tour.
    • Read articles in the newspaper, news, and magazines together.
    • Go to the public library. Make vacations learning experiences.
    • Plan "theme" parties that involve some research. For example, an American Revolution costume party, a play, or a display of inventions of the time.

    The important thing for parents to remember is that they are the most important teachers in their child's life. Children are born eager to learn, but parents need to help them channel that learning. Talking with children before, during, and after any activity helps them learn the steps involved in learning.  http://urbanext.illinois.edu/

Help Your Child with Reading

  • A home filled with reading material is a good way to help kids become enthusiastic readers. What kind of books should you have? Ask your kids about their interests. If they're too young to have a preference, your local librarian can offer suggestions about age-appropriate books.  

    • Other ways to encourage kids to read:
    • Give your child quiet time every day to read or write.
    • SET TIME LIMITS that kids spend in front of a screen (including TV, computer, and video games) to help ensure that they have time for reading.
    • Read together. Offer to read a book aloud, or ask your child to read to you from a favorite magazine. Make a habit of sitting together while you each read your own books, sharing quiet time together.
    • Get a FREE library card!

    As your child's reading skills improve, reading aloud together can foster a sense of closeness and help improve vocabulary and reading skills. Encourage talking about characters or share reactions to books to reinforce the connection between books and everyday life. 

    • How can I find the "just right" books for my child?
      Ask your child's teacher what level she is at, and request a list of appropriate books. 
    • However, when reading at home, educators say that children should read a level or two below the one they read at in school, when they are receiving instruction from the teacher.
    • How can I help my child become a better reader?
      Continue to read to him every day and expose him to the language of books. Have him  read to you  as you are preparing a meal. 
    • If he makes a mistake, simply tell him the correct word and let him move on. This increases enjoyment and fluency. To increase comprehension, talk about the story after you've read it.
    • What level should my child be reading at in each grade?
      There is a range of levels within each grade. 
    • Your child's teacher can address your child's current level and the goals she is working on with your child. To see how levels generally correspond to each grade, see a  Leveling Resource Guide.  With good instruction, your child will steadily become a better reader, even if he is one or two levels behind peers. Scholastic.com

Online (Cyber) Safety and Personal Safety

Help Your Child Study

  • Many of the issues concerning success in school revolve around developing good study habits and expectations regarding homework. Parents can certainly play a major role in providing the encouragement, environment, and materials necessary for successful studying to take place.

    Some general things adults can do, include:

    • Establish a routine for meals, bedtime and study/homework 
    • Provide books, supplies, and a special, quiet place for studying 
    • Encourage the child to "ready" himself for studying (refocus attention and relax) 
    • Offer to study with the child periodically (call out spelling words or do flash cards) 
    • Have student organize and pack bookbag for the next day, before the established bedtime

    An established study routine is very important, especially for younger school age children. If a child knows, for example, that he is expected to do homework immediately after supper prior to watching television, he will be better able to adjust and ready himself than if he is allowed to do homework any time he pleases.

    Connected to the idea of a study routine is the concept of a homework chart (like the one found in the student assignment notebook). 

    This type of visual system tends to work very well, especially with children ages 9-12.

    All children need their own place at home to do homework. The space does not need to be big or fancy, but it needs to be personal so that they feel it is their "study place."

    Remember, learning styles differ from child to child, so the study place should allow for these differences. Parents can take a walk through the house with their child to find that special corner that is just right. http://urbanext.illinois.edu/  

Resources

  •  BrainPop: http://www.brainpop.com

    BrainPop   is a group of educational websites with over 1,000 short animated movies for students in grades K-12, together with quizzes, supplemental information and related materials, covering the subjects of science, social studies, English, mathematics, engineering and technology, health, and arts and music.

    Bradley East Parents- user name: bradleyeast   password: east

    Bradley West  Parents- user name: bradleywest  password: west

    Bradley Central Parents- user name: bradleycentral  password: central

  • Disclaimer: Website changes along with the information it holds. Please use this page as a resource page to help point you in the right direction fo helping your child succeed!