April
It seems like we were just creating the March newsletter--time sure is flying! The warmer weather has been a great change, so hopefully you are finding ways to get outside and enjoy some sunshine and nature with your family! We live in such a beautiful area with so many options: There are great trails in Grapevine to walk/bike (HERE), watching airplanes take off & land at Founder's Plaza, or visiting the Grapevine Botanical Gardens, to name a few! It is a busy season, and if you have kids in third grade or older, they will begin state testing this month. We will share some great resources to help you prepare as a parent for the changes in the test and to be able to walk alongside your child as a support!
Parent University
We are wrapping up our Parent University series this month! Whether you've made it to a session yet or not, we hope you will join us for the last two sessions on Monday, April 3rd & 17th at 5:30 PM! We meet at 121 Community Church (2701 Ira E. Woods Ave, Grapevine) and will have childcare, snacks (dinner at the last session!), and door prizes! Click HERE to RSVP (childcare spots fill up quickly)!
Supporting & Setting Your Child Up for Success
Get schooled in math- April is Math Awareness Month. Ask your children's teachers for suggestions on math games and online activities and check out our Math in Everyday website below that we'll be updating with fun ideas to incorporate Math at home and readily available resources for your child to use.
Go a little greener- Commemorate Earth Day on April 22 by planning an activity for your entire family, such as joining a local park's litter-cleanup team or planting a tree on your block. Check out your school-district website to see what they have on tap for students and their families.
Share your career- This is a great time of year to talk to your child about future goal setting for college and career readiness! You can share some of your pathway with your child and encourage other adult family members/friends to do the same so they can hear about a variety of pathways and options. There are lots of resources online to research, and HERE is just one of them.
Thank your school staff-These overlooked helpers are often the ones who keep things working smoothly for your children, so take time to recognize school office staff during the week of April 24 to 28, which is Administrative Professionals Week. Join with other parents to give a gift card or flowers, or have your kids make a card of their own.
math in everyday
Click HERE to view our Math in Everyday site that will be updated weekly for the next several weeks with fun ideas and readily available resources that you can use at home to help support your child’s growth in Math, especially as we get closer to state testing! You can utilize the menu on the site for grade level specific ideas.
STAAR Testing Resources
To help better prepare ourselves and our kids in third grade and higher for the upcoming STAAR testing, we hope you will find these resources valuable. As parents, we want to walk alongside our kids as they prepare for any kind of life challenge or "test" that they will face, STAAR or otherwise, so they feel confident, equipped, and encouraged!
STAAR Handout with Several Links/Resources (including how to access past and future STAAR results online)
Creating a Supportive Learning Environment at Home
Model a love and respect for learning - Show you place a high value on education by reading, working on a home computer if one is available, taking on new challenges which require learning and perseverance. Demonstrate respect and support for schools and authority.
Set reasonable expectations for your child - Get to know your child through observation, communication with teachers and evaluation of schoolwork. Set expectations which are appropriate for his developmental level and abilities.
Read to your child -Research tells us it is critically important to read daily to children of all ages. Reading aloud to a child helps them learn verbal expression, increase his vocabulary, broaden his world through mental images, develop a closer relationship with his parents, and most importantly, develop a life-long love for reading and books.
Create a home environment which encourages learning - Have accessible age-appropriate resource materials such as books, magazines, encyclopedias, art materials, dictionary, atlas, and any other materials which enhance learning. Show your child how to navigate the internet safely for more research topics. Let family activities function around learning—family games, trips to museums, concerts, the zoo, traveling, etc. Use daily excursions to the grocery store, the bank, or even the back yard as opportunities for learning.
Create a balance for learning within the family -Establish learning and school as a priority over extracurricular activities. Allow time for play and relaxation.Overscheduling a child’s day with activities and demands can deprive a child of independent thinking, creativity, and the tools to develop self-reliance and self-esteem.
Show an interest in your child’s learning -Get involved with the school. Get to know your child’s teachers, his/her daily routine, and his school friends. Attend open houses, plays, and other functions at the school. Take time daily to talk with your child about school.
Encourage success and be accepting of mistakes -Let your child know you are proud of his/her accomplishments, but also help him/her to understand mistakes are OK when used as an opportunity for learning. Let your child observe you handling mistakes in a positive manner. Encourage your child by noticing the effort he/she puts into something. (“You’re making good progress on that project. It must feel good to see it almost finished,” or “Your handwriting looks much neater. I can tell you are taking your time and putting a lot of effort into writing neatly.”)
Teach self-discipline - The development of discipline is fostered when parents set appropriate limits and consequences for the very young child and then begin a gradual process of letting the child take on more responsibility for his own behavior. Assist your child in setting routines, study habits, and organizational procedures. Role model self discipline in your daily life.
Create a setting conducive to studying -Know how and where your child studies best. Some children study best while listening to music but studying with the TV on should never be an option. Monitor homework and provide reasonable assistance. Establish routine family study times when the TV is turned off and everyone in the family reads or works on a task.
Source: Practical Parent Education
GCISD is not responsible for the contents of the flyers or electronic communication, nor does GCISD endorse any products, websites, and/or services referenced in this communication or provided by this provider. Parents sign-up or use advertised programs/resources at their own risk.
Ideas, Suggestions, or Requests? Click here or go to https://bit.ly/fescomments!