Parent and Family Engagement
November 2023
Cowan Road Elementary
November is Parent Engagement Month
Why parent engagement is important!
Researchers have found that student success in the classroom is most heavily influenced by a parents’ ability to:
- Encourage learning and education
- Set high – but not unrealistic – educational standards and goals
- Become involved in school and community activities
Researchers have also found that students who do benefit from strong parental involvement have:
- Higher overall achievement, regardless of socioeconomic, ethnic or racial background.
- A higher completion level on homework.
- A higher level of self-esteem in all aspects of life.
- Better social behavior and lower probability that they will get into trouble outside of school.
- Greater comfort navigating different cultural environments between home and school.
- Less likelihood of being placed in special education courses.
- Less probability of dropping out of high school.
How Can I Schedule a Parent-Teacher Conference at Cowan Road Elementary?
1) Reach out to your child's teacher through Dojo.
2) Send a note to the school with your child.
3) Call the school office (770-229-3790) and request that your child's teacher call you to set up a conference.
Getting Ready for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Getting Ready for the Conference
- Review work samples, report cards, progress reports or other items sent home by the teacher
- Review school policies and the handbook
- Talk with your child about why you are having the conference and what you hope to learn at the conference. Get your child's input as to strengths, weaknesses, and areas of concern.
- Determine a list of questions to ask your child's teacher:
- What are my child's academic strengths and weaknesses?
- Do you have any concerns about my child's progress so far this year?
- Is my child performing at grade level? If not, in what subjects does my child need extra help?
- What measures are in place to help my child research mastery on grade-level standards?
- What can I do at home to make sure my child reaches mastery on grade-level or course-level standards?
- What is my child's Lexile Level? Why is this important?
- How can I support literacy at home?
- If my child reachers grade-level expectations quickly, what is being done to extend and accelerate learning for my child?
- What are the top five skills my child needs to be successful this year? How can I help make sure that my child has these skills?
- What questions should I ask my child about school and learning each day?
- How will you communicate with me? How would you like me to communicate with you?
- What can I do at home to support you in the classroom?
- How is my child adjusting socially and emotionally this year?
- Listen to the teacher's comments
- Ask questions about your child's progress
- Look for positive points that you can build on to help your child succeed
- Get your perspective as a parent
- Get clarification on anything you don't understand
- Ask teacher to help you develop specific goals and actions for your child if needed
- Talk with your child about what you and the teacher discussed
- Talk about any plans or goals for improvement you might have
- Talk to your child about building on strengths and improving weaknesses
- Keep in touch with the teacher on a regular basis to find out about progress your child is making
Georgia Standards of Excellence
- What are the Georgia Standards of Excellence?
The Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) provide a consistent framework to prepare students for success in college and/or the 21st century workplace. For more information go to https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards
- How are Georgia Standards of Excellence used in educating my child(ren)?
In Case You Missed It!
Title I Annual Meeting information
Date Held: September 5, 2023
What was covered:
In this meeting, we discussed the topics below:
o Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
o Intent and Purpose of Title I
o Title I Funding
o Programs/Supports in Place to Help your Students
o Academic Standards Expected of All Students
o Measuring Student Progress
o Parent Resource Centers
o District and School Parent and Family Engagement Policies
o School-Parent Compact
If you were unable to attend and have questions:
contact Angela Roth at770-229-3790 or
email me at Angela.Roth@gscs.org
Fall Festival
We had a great time at our Fall Festival on October 19th! Games and inflatables were sponsored by Carver Road Baptist Church and Griffin First Assembly. Remember to check our Facebook page and monthly newsletters for more events coming soon.
Ways Parents Can Become More Engaged at Cowan Road Elementary
Upcoming opportunities for family engagement
"Multiply Your Fun"
Cowan Road Elementary
Family Math Night and Movie Night
When: November 10, 2023. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Where: Cowan Road Elementary
What: Plan to join us for math activities and ideas and stay for a family movie.
Why: Get math activities and ideas to help your child academically.