Teacher Newsletter
November 2018
Building Parent-Teacher Relationships
Below is some helpful information on positive interactions with families from the article "Building Parent-Teacher Relationships" from The American Federation of Teachers. To read the full article, click http://www.readingrockets.org/article/building-parent-teacher-relationships
Maintaining a positive parent-teacher relationship has many benefits. Substantial evidence exists showing that parent involvement benefits students, including raising their academic achievement. There are other advantages for children when parents become involved — namely, increased motivation for learning, improved behavior, more regular attendance, and a more positive attitude about homework and school in general.
Research shows that parental involvement can free teachers to focus more on the task of teaching children. Also, by having more contact with parents, teachers learn more about students' needs and home environment, which is information they can apply toward better meeting those needs. Parents who are involved tend to have a more positive view of teachers, which results in improved teacher morale.
Parents are not accustomed to hearing unsolicited positive comments from teachers about their children, especially in a phone call from the school. Imagine how you would feel, as a parent, if you were contacted by a teacher or the school principal and told that your son or daughter was doing well in school, or that your child had overcome a learning or behavior problem. When you make calls to share positive information with parents, be prepared for them to sound surprised-pleasantly surprised.
Research shows that school-home communication is greatly increased through personalized positive telephone contact between teachers and parents. Remember, when a phone call from school conveys good news, the atmosphere between home and school improves. When you have good news to share, why wait? Make the call and start a positive relationship with a parent.
November Curriculum
October 22 - November 16 Autumn
November 19 - December 14 Architecture
Young Preschool, Preschool, Pre-K Academy, Private Kindergarten:
October 22 - November 2 Autumn
November 5 - November 16 The Community
November 19 - November 30 Architecture
Montessori:
October 22 - November 16 Where We Live
November 19 - December 28 Winter Traditions
Varsity Club:
October 22 - November 16 Autumn
November 19 - December 14 Architecture
November Enrichment Programs
Kids of Character: Generosity
Pre-K Academy Project: 3D City
Baby Sign: Big, Snow
Ready, Set, Grow!: Look At Me Move
Language Immersion Spanish: Community Helpers, Weather
Zoo Phonics: "i," "j," "k," "l" and review "e," "f," "g," "h"
Pen Pal: Joel
Family Calendar of Events
- See School Calendar, Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 21st, Thanksgiving Celebration
- 22nd, Closed for Thanksgiving
- 23rd, Closed for Thanksgiving
Teacher Spotlight
Professional Development
C.C.E.I. frequently adds new courses that can help with many aspects of your classroom.
The newest courses include:
HLTH 110 Protecting Infants: Reducing the Risk of SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome
PROF 104 Reflective Practices in Early Childhood Education
SOC 106 The Value of Mindfulness in Early Childhood Settings
SOC 107 Building Social and Emotional Competence
These courses will provide more insight and ideas for best practices in your classroom, at no cost to you! The listed new offerings are all Beginner Course Level, with the exception of the PROF 104, which is Intermediate.
If you have any questions pertaining to C.C.E.I., please contact Stephanie Stepaniak, Training Specialist, at 248-519-1953.
Happy learning!
Continuing Education
This amazing benefit will be available to all current employees in January 2019. Starting in January, our teachers will also be able to obtain their CDA for free through Teachstone! Teachers will be able to register in November during open enrollment to start CDA coursework in January.
KinderCare also supports the TEACH program for employees looking to obtain a degree higher than a CDA. Please continue reaching out to Brittany Kay with TEACH applications.
If you have been considering continuing your education, now is an exciting time to do so! Speak with your director or contact the Education Department if you have any additional questions.
How Do I Nominate a child for Student Spotlight?
- Where is the Student Spotlight displayed? The Student Spotlight is a feature on the Pre-K Academy Portal. To access the Portal, start at the main website and click on Pre-K Academy in the Programs and Curriculum drop down menu. From there, click the link on the bottom of the page to be taken to the Portal. You are then on the Portal home page, where you will see the Student Spotlight!
- How do I submit a student? You can send submissions directly to Jenny in the Education Department, or you can submit by using the link on the Portal! If you follow the instructions given with the previous question, you will access the Portal home page. On that home page, there is a link that says "Nominate a student." Parents and teachers alike can use this link to submit a child for Student Spotlight!
- What information do I need to send in a submission? All you need to submit is a photo of the child and a short blurb (2-3 sentences) about why that child needs a shout out! Remember that currently only Pre-K children are eligible, though.
If you have any other questions or concerns regarding the Student Spotlight, please contact Jenny directly at 248-519-9228.