Talk to Your Teacher Week Sept 26-30

Talk To Your Teacher Week will take place September 26-30.

The week was established by Minneapolis Public Schools to provide families with an opportunity to connect with their child’s teacher early in the school year to participate in the educational process and help develop achievement goals for their child.

Although parent-teacher conferences begin in October, we like to remind families that they can talk to their child’s teacher anytime. Talk To Your Teacher Week is a way to open the lines of communication with families. Parents should be encouraged to ask questions of their teacher and school.

Please remind families that they may connect with their child’s teacher at conferences, school events, family nights, classroom visits or specially scheduled meetings. They can also reach teachers by email, phone or written note. Interpreters are available to assist families if they speak a language other than English.
Families may need assistance in identifying what to discuss with their child’s teacher.

Some guidelines include:
• Ask the teacher about homework expectations.
• Ask the teacher about classroom behavior expectations. Be aware of what is going on in your child’s classroom.
• Ask the teacher if your child is on track academically. Ask what the grade level expectations are and what your child should know by the end of the year.

Talk To Your Teacher Week also provides an opportunity for teachers to give families suggestions for supporting academic success at home.

These include:
• Read with your child. Ask your child’s teacher for book suggestions. Visit the library with your child.
• Ask your teacher what your child is studying in math, science and social studies.
• Ask your child what he or she learns in school each day.
• Set aside time to help your child with homework.
• Help your child get ready in the morning so he or she arrives at school on time and ready to learn.

Thank you for your support in promoting Talk To Your Teacher Week at your school building.

Sincerely,
Theresa Battle
Mark Bonine
Michael Thomas, Area Superintendents