I have had numerous conversations with parents, teachers, and students of late about foundational or basic skills.  Just like in sports, if the fundamentals aren’t in place, the rest of the skills will not be developed.  Typically, as the year progresses, basic skills receive less and less of our instructional time as we seek to help students have a deeper understanding of the identified grade level standards.  We do seek to bolster the identified basic and essential skills in some remediation and intervention time and after school tutoring, however, when a student is behind in these areas; the home is the best place for this catching up to be done as well.  We are all on the same team and our teachers are very committed each day to do all they can for your children. Together, let’s do all we can to prepare them for success at the next level.  Currently, our data indicates we have many students not progressing toward next grade level readiness.  If this is true of your child, please be prepared to work with your child’s teacher to do all we can to help them progress.

Two basic math skills needed for all grades are fluency with math facts (addition, multiplication, and divison) and solid understanding of fractions.  These are very simple to review and practice.  If your child does not know these facts, please ask your child’s teacher about ways to help him or her at home.  Also, fluent reading at grade level cannot be attained unless children regularly read at home.  It is recommended they read a minimum of 20 minutes at their independent level every day just to maintain the expected grade level reading skills.  In addition, as a basic life skill, every child should know their address and at least one reliable phone number to call.  

Together, let’s be their champion and combine our efforts to secure their success.  Please check with your child/children on how they are doing in each fundamental skill listed above.  If we can be a resource, please let us know.  Too much is at stake for any of us to not fully invest in their success.