Reply to MCPS teachers - what would you tell parents in your class(es) if you could?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Please set up Synergy and include an active email address.  Please check your Synergy email.  This is the easiest way for teachers to contact parents and it immediately documents the contact in Synergy.

Please check your child's grade prior to the last week of the marking period.  If you want me to do something to help your child pass the class, do not email me the last week of the marking period (and check your Synergy email, because I have already emailed you about it).  Know that I am doing everything in my power to help your child pass the class.  I provide small group support, reteaching, modified assignments, options for responding orally to demonstrate understanding, anything and everything possible to help support your child.

If you want your child to earn an A, and you plan on emailing me about it, please include what your child has done to demonstrate exceeding standards on assignments throughout the marking period.  Just because your child turned in all of the work, doesn't mean that they earn an A.  Remember it is about how well they are demonstrating understanding of the standards, not just earning points.

Be willing to answer unlisted phone calls.  I can't always call home during the school day, so I have to use my personal phone to call you.  If I am doing that, there is an issue.  I have probably sent emails about the issue, but you didn't respond because you haven't sent up an email in Synergy.

[/quote]

Thanks.  The following is not meant to be a snark, but to temper the good thoughts presented to keep things workable:

I hope that teachers/admins can avoid making families rely on other communication systems besides phone, direct email and the Synergy/ParentVUE system.  Using other tools is fine, so long as any relevant communication also arrives by one of these.

I also hope your peers can be sure to grade regularly enough so that the material is available for students and families to review/correct/support/remediate before it is too late in the marking period.  We've had times when there isn't anything available [i][b]until[/b][/i] the week before, and then it's too late (and, often, there isn't the favor of a response to family inquiry about it).

I also hope that the expectations for achieving an A are made clear, in a detailed manner, well before an assignment is due/a test is given.  "Exceeding standards", while appropriate in concept, is entirely too nebulous when used as guidance to students/families.

Thank you for the extra effort made in calling after hours.  Keeping your number private is entirely appropriate.  However, please be willing to leave a message if we don't pick up an unlisted call, even if it is to suggest a time you might call back where we should consider picking up from an unlisted number.[/quote]

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