ᐃᕐᑲᓗᐃᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑐᓕᕆᔨᒃᑯᑦ ᑲᑎᒪᔨᖕᒋᑦ
How can you support your child’s education?
Research has demonstrated that there is a direct relationship between parental involvement in a child’s education and the child’s success in school. Students with parents who take an active interest in their school work, perform better in class, have better attendance, advance to higher grades, and have more positive relationships with teachers. How can you become more involved?
Ensure your child goes to school each day
Follow your child’s progress in school and help with homework and projects.
Attend school events, including parent-teacher interviews.
Volunteer in the classroom. (As little as one-half hour in the classroom can make a difference).
Become a parent representative on IDEA committees.
The Ontario Ministry of Education has published two booklets to help parents work with their children in developing math and reading skills. The publications titled “Helping your child to learn math – A parent’s guide” and “Helping your child learn to read – A parent’s guide” are available at
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document /brochure
Another publication for parents, as well as principals and teachers available on this site is:
“Me Read? No Way! A practical guide to improving boy’s literacy skills”.
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
The IDEA is looking for Inuktitut-speaking substitute teachers for our schools. As there are few certified teachers available to substitute for teachers who are absent from classes due to illness or a leave of absence, the IDEA accepts applications from people who are looking for part-time employment. We are particularly concerned about establishing a roster of Inuktitut speaking substitute teachers as this is where there is greatest shortage of help.
If you enjoy working with children and youth, can read and speak Inuktitut, and would like to earn a part-time income, call our administrator and have your name put on the substitute teacher list.
979-5314
ARE YOU MOVING?
If you are moving out of Iqaluit in the coming months, and don’t want to move all those books your children have outgrown, the IDEA will take them for you! The IDEA will re-distribute them to students who need more books at home. Please call our IDEA Administrator, Alice Ladner if you want to donate books. Even if you are not moving, the IDEA will gladly take unwanted children’s books off your hands!
PLEASE CONTACT: 979-5314
The Minister of Health and Social Services is trying to encourage students of Nunavut to make healthier drink choices than pop, which is the beverage of choice for a large majority of Nunavut students.
NOT SELLING POP
Terry Young, Principal of Inuksuk High School says, “We have not sold pop at our school for more than a year. We do some-times give away pop, but only when we have a special celebration .”
Packages on the Drop the Pop campaign were distributed to all the Jr. High teachers and are being used as part of their health program.
CHILDREN DRINKING TOO MUCH POP
Our society appears to be drinking too much pop, especially our youth. Many children as young as one-year-old are being given pop to drink, which means other, more nutritious beverages are being displaced from the diet.
HEALTH PROBLEMS
Drinking pop is a major cause of tooth decay and also causes weight gain which leads to diabetes.
Dental disease is reaching epidemic proportions among young children.
SUGAR AND ACID
Pop is mostly sugar and acid which attacks the teeth and leads to cavities. Babies and very young children should not be given pop, especially in bottles.
Older children should drink pop in moderation and brush their teeth immediately afterwards.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD’S REPORT CARD
The Parent-Teacher conferences are the best times for parents to learn what they should expect of their children in terms of achievement and about the teacher's goals for the year.
Let your child know that you plan to have a conference with the teacher.
Ask your child what he/she would like you to discuss.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE
Please be on time for your interview. If there is a conflict with your schedule, contact the school and arrange a more convenient time.
Making a plan will help you and the teacher make best use of time.
Make a list of things to TELL the teacher about your child:
· favorite subjects; · after-school activities; · home responsibilities; · difficulties in school
Make a list of things to ASK the teacher:
· tests and grades; · homework, · materials and books used in class;
· school/classroom policies; · attitude and behaviour in class
WHAT DO I DO DURING THE PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE?
Take a few minutes at the beginning of the conference to review your lists of things to tell the teacher about your child and your questions concerning your child and school.
Read through your child’s report card carefully.
Ask the teacher for an explanation of any words or expressions you do not understand.
Ask about how your child is graded and how the final grade is arrived at.
Listen carefully and make notes as the teacher talks about your child's progress.
Stop the teacher at any time and ask for a more detailed explanation if you do not understand.
Plan with the teacher on how both of you can help your child be successful in school.
