Principal's Message
There is nothing more important to your child's future than reading. He or she will need to read well in order to excel in all other subjects in school, follow written instructions, learn from books, study, take tests, fill out job applications, pass a driving test or write a job report. That's why it is so important that reading begins at home. Take a look at these suggestions:
If you are a parent of a grade-schooler:
Make reading a normal part of your life at home. Take regular trips with your child to the public library so that he or she can pick out new books to read. Be sure to have your child's eyesight and hearing checked each year. Just as important, stay in touch with your child's teacher and ask questions:
- Ask are children at your child's school evaluated in kindergarten what their strengths and weaknesses are
- Ask are school library books available to students
- Ask if the student's work is corrected and returned regularly
If you are the parent of a middle-schooler:
Allow your child time to pick out the books he or she wishes to read. Occasionally, read the same book your child is reading, whether or not it is the one you would choose to read. This will give you an opportunity to communicate by comparing notes and sharing opinions, insights and interpretations. Control the amount of TV and the type of shows that your child watches. TV is a passive activity that doesn't allow your child to actively participate or think. Instead, set an example for your child by having books at home and spending time reading. Be sure to give your child a quiet, well lit place to read and study.
It's also very important to find out from your child's teacher the level on which your child is reading. Check in with your child's teachers and guidance counselors to see if they are aware of any problems. Keep an eye on your child's written homework. Ask the teacher, also, how reading is taught in the classroom and what you as a parent can do at home to support your child's reading progress.
If you are a parent of a high-schooler:
Continue to make reading a priority. Your teen will enter a labor force where good reading and writing skills are essential. Be sure you know your teen's reading score on Maryland's tenth grade standardized test. Check in with your teen's teachers and guidance counselors to see if they are aware of any concerns. Keep an eye on any written work. Most important, stay involved with your teen's reading and school progress. Reading is your child's key to learning, and parents are the key to both!