The latest education news, info for parents,
and features from schools and teachers.
http://www.schoolbag.sg/
Corporate Communications Division is pleased to announce the launch of Schoolbag.sg, a new online newsletter for parents (www.schoolbag.sg). Schoolbag.sg is revamped from Contact Online. The revamp arose out of a review of MOE’s and schools’ efforts to reach out to parents and the public.
2 Schoolbag.sg aims to keep parents informed of news and developments in education in Singapore, provide insightful school stories, and highlight pertinent parent and teacher matters. With Schoolbag.sg, we hope to enable parents to better partner schools and to make informed choices about their children’s education.
3 Stories in Schoolbag.sg are found in these sections:
* Education News – articles reporting on developments on the education front in Singapore, e.g., policies, MOE events
* Parents’ Corner – stories on school/MOE events that parents are involved in, tips for parents, contributions from parents
* In the Schools – school stories on school trips, school events, school programmes or projects
* Teachers Today – stories on teachers’ professional development and their work, e.g. work attachment, school counsellors, teachers helping students with special needs.
4. Schoolbag.sg will continue to feature stories contributed by teachers and schools for these stories give parents and the public insight into our teachers’ work and into the various interesting programmes run by our schools
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Making The Most Of Parent-Teacher Meetings
Making The Most Of Parent-Teacher Meetings
Dear Parents,
What is your reaction every time you are being invited by the school to attend a parent-teacher conference? Do you at times feel apprehensive or perhaps a little worried?
Some of us parents cannot deny that at times, we feel a little less than eager especially when we anticipate some bad news. None of us want to hear any negative comments about our children, even though they may be true.
The point of a parent-teacher conference is not a mere signing of report books. It is like putting pieces of a puzzle together. Bringing out the most of a child’s potential requires an intentional and collaborative effort on the part of the teacher, parents and student. When parents and teachers work with each other, everyone gets a complete picture.
During such sessions, parents will learn what the teacher’s expectations are. Come with an open heart and an open mind. Even negative comments are useful comments; they are made to improve a student’s performance and conduct. Like parents who want their children to succeed, teachers do want all their students to excel too.
Be mindful that the school is not a perfect institution. Its teachers are not perfect but neither are the students nor their parents. No one is exempt from making mistakes. The most important thing is to come to a solution together.
Here are some suggestions that can be applied when attending such conferences:
- As much as possible, attend with your spouse. When both parents come together as a unit, you are sending a message that both you and your spouse take an active role in your child’s education.
- Be on time. If you know that you will be late, it is only polite to inform the teacher. Latecomers usually eat into the time of other parents. Also be mindful of the time taken during meetings and refrain from talking way into the time slots of other parents.
- Maintain mutual respect. There are two ways to communicate your point; positively or negatively. Parent-teacher conferences are not war zones. Problems are best sorted out when both parties remain objective and calm.
- Prepare to ask the teacher questions like:
1. How is my child performing in class?
2. Does he complete the work given to your satisfaction?
3. What about his conduct? Does he behave well?
4. How does he get along with his peers/classmates?
5. How can we best help him at home?
- Listen to the teacher’s feedback carefully. The combined viewpoints of parents and teachers will result in a more complete and holistic view of a student’s potential. It will make the effort of helping the child much easier.
- Be honest. If your child is facing a crisis back home like the death of a loved one or a divorce, it is best to let the teacher know. Such crisis will undeniably affect a child’s performance and behaviour at school. The teacher will be more understanding and may be able to help your child.
Coming home from a parent-teacher meet, do a follow-up. Work on the teacher’s suggestions and when you notice improvements, share this information with the teacher. Do remember to thank teachers for their input. Hopefully, everyone will benefit from this collaboration.
Yours Sincerely,
Noor Azlin Sukri
Parent of Arina Nadiah Saifudin (4 Respect)
Nurin Nazurah Saifudin (2 Peace)
Dear Parents,
What is your reaction every time you are being invited by the school to attend a parent-teacher conference? Do you at times feel apprehensive or perhaps a little worried?
Some of us parents cannot deny that at times, we feel a little less than eager especially when we anticipate some bad news. None of us want to hear any negative comments about our children, even though they may be true.
The point of a parent-teacher conference is not a mere signing of report books. It is like putting pieces of a puzzle together. Bringing out the most of a child’s potential requires an intentional and collaborative effort on the part of the teacher, parents and student. When parents and teachers work with each other, everyone gets a complete picture.
During such sessions, parents will learn what the teacher’s expectations are. Come with an open heart and an open mind. Even negative comments are useful comments; they are made to improve a student’s performance and conduct. Like parents who want their children to succeed, teachers do want all their students to excel too.
Be mindful that the school is not a perfect institution. Its teachers are not perfect but neither are the students nor their parents. No one is exempt from making mistakes. The most important thing is to come to a solution together.
Here are some suggestions that can be applied when attending such conferences:
- As much as possible, attend with your spouse. When both parents come together as a unit, you are sending a message that both you and your spouse take an active role in your child’s education.
- Be on time. If you know that you will be late, it is only polite to inform the teacher. Latecomers usually eat into the time of other parents. Also be mindful of the time taken during meetings and refrain from talking way into the time slots of other parents.
- Maintain mutual respect. There are two ways to communicate your point; positively or negatively. Parent-teacher conferences are not war zones. Problems are best sorted out when both parties remain objective and calm.
- Prepare to ask the teacher questions like:
1. How is my child performing in class?
2. Does he complete the work given to your satisfaction?
3. What about his conduct? Does he behave well?
4. How does he get along with his peers/classmates?
5. How can we best help him at home?
- Listen to the teacher’s feedback carefully. The combined viewpoints of parents and teachers will result in a more complete and holistic view of a student’s potential. It will make the effort of helping the child much easier.
- Be honest. If your child is facing a crisis back home like the death of a loved one or a divorce, it is best to let the teacher know. Such crisis will undeniably affect a child’s performance and behaviour at school. The teacher will be more understanding and may be able to help your child.
Coming home from a parent-teacher meet, do a follow-up. Work on the teacher’s suggestions and when you notice improvements, share this information with the teacher. Do remember to thank teachers for their input. Hopefully, everyone will benefit from this collaboration.
Yours Sincerely,
Noor Azlin Sukri
Parent of Arina Nadiah Saifudin (4 Respect)
Nurin Nazurah Saifudin (2 Peace)
Friday, June 22, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Parenting Workshop In Malay
Parenting Workshop (in Malay)
Date : 21st April 2007
Conducted by Mr Abdul Halim ,Director Research & Policy in Mendaki
Brief Synopsis of workshop:
Globalisation has both the positives and negatives. It provides opportunities for those with talents and skills needed in the current knowledge-based environments. It creates uncertainties for those without the necessary skills and knowledge in the modern world. Who are the workers of this new knowledge-based economy?
Our education system has gone through various changes over the last 5 years to respond to these globalisation challenges. There are different pathways towards educational excellence for all-both in academic and non-academic fields. The aim is to maximise the potential of every student, We are aiming for mountain ranges , not a pinnacle. Do parents understand these changes and their implications for them and their children? What must parents do, especially in laying a very strong foundation at the pre-school and primary levels?
Feedback on Workshop Conducted
The Parenting Workshop was well received by the Malay parents whom have a child in the upper primary. Some of their feedbacks regarding the workshop were that many felt that it was very good , interactive and lively.Some felt that his talk gave them a new insight of the challenges that their children will encounter as well as insightful tips on how to guide their children better.
Date : 21st April 2007
Conducted by Mr Abdul Halim ,Director Research & Policy in Mendaki
Brief Synopsis of workshop:
Globalisation has both the positives and negatives. It provides opportunities for those with talents and skills needed in the current knowledge-based environments. It creates uncertainties for those without the necessary skills and knowledge in the modern world. Who are the workers of this new knowledge-based economy?
Our education system has gone through various changes over the last 5 years to respond to these globalisation challenges. There are different pathways towards educational excellence for all-both in academic and non-academic fields. The aim is to maximise the potential of every student, We are aiming for mountain ranges , not a pinnacle. Do parents understand these changes and their implications for them and their children? What must parents do, especially in laying a very strong foundation at the pre-school and primary levels?
Feedback on Workshop Conducted
The Parenting Workshop was well received by the Malay parents whom have a child in the upper primary. Some of their feedbacks regarding the workshop were that many felt that it was very good , interactive and lively.Some felt that his talk gave them a new insight of the challenges that their children will encounter as well as insightful tips on how to guide their children better.
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