Hello, guys, this is last months subscriber exclusive now available to non-subscribers. This article is written by Jillian Smart M.Ed. Jillian Smart, M.Ed., is an award-winning CEO, master educator, and published author. She launched Jackson Education Support to develop more independent learners of all ages locally and around the world. This mission is accomplished by implementing personalized services and supporting engagement efforts. The approach is unique in that the firm leverages character development to affect cognitive development. Specialty areas include character strength, literacy, math, and science. To learn more visit Jillian’s Facebook Page Jackson Education Support.

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Fall semester is in full swing for many and this post highlights strategies to get a jump start on the new school year. I launched Jackson Education Support to develop more independent learners of all ages, which requires serving as a parent liaison and teacher coach. Based on my experiences with educators, learners, and their families, this checklist promotes proper preparation to prevent poor performance this school year.

1) School Supply Lists.

As outlined by the GreatSchools Staff, there are certain staples students need across grade levels. These include notebooks, paper, pencils, and pens. School-Supply-List.com offers a printer-friendly list by grade level (K-12) or visitors can email the list to themselves and friends. We want to have these on hand for learners, so they’re equipped to meet the challenges to come. Budget cuts are a hot topic in education. This causes schools to shift responsibilities to families. The cost of school supplies adds up quickly for families already strapped for cash, so consider buying supplies for a family that’s less fortunate as well.

2)Uniforms & School Attire.

Having access to appropriate materials and resources solves part of the problem. Conversations with students about proper school attire may have lifelong effects. Discuss: What is proper school attire? How does school attire differ from street clothes or casual dress? Expose students to the notions that uniforms are intended to foster focused learning environments and that, in the absence of uniforms, wearing proper school attire has a similar effect. In worst case scenarios, students learn to disagree without being disagreeable as they understand the reasons behind the rules.

3)Parent Nights.

Work schedules may make attending parent nights next to impossible for some. If you find yourself in this category, think outside the box. Think beyond parental engagement. Think family engagement! Share this information-gathering responsibility with family members and friends. Prepare for student success with discussions centered on goals for the course and resources (e.g., books, websites, apps) needed for top-notch performance. Ask for a copy of the syllabus or district pacing guide. Build rapport by clarifying the best ways to monitor progress toward learning goals and build strong home-school partnerships between educators and parents.

4)Academic Pacing Guides.

Pacing Guides are tools used by K-12 educators to prepare students for state assessments. Learning activities, lessons, student assessments, and educator evaluations are all aligned with grade-level pacing guides. The goal of this reminder is to use pacing guides to prepare students for learning challenges. A student who struggled with fractions last year will likely struggle with fractions in the Fall semester. With pacing guide in hand, we morph into superheroes. As students transition from one language arts concept to the next, stakeholders predict the future by simply following the pacing guide. Have a look at Mississippi Pacing Guides as examples of what to look for.

5)Online Performance Records.

We live in a data-rich society. Technology allows us to make data-driven decisions more quickly now than ever before, and educators are leveraging this fringe benefit of the 21st century. Districts aggregate student data in online portals. Parents access student data in real-time by logging into these portals. Teachers share virtual (online) grade books that reveal attendance, missed or late assignments, and exam and homework grades. Ask the school counselor or contact a student advocate like me for a tour of your district’s online records system. Understanding and using online portals help my clients stay ahead year-round.

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If you enjoyed the article above then you will love our next subscriber exclusive it is written by Rachel of Explore Kid Talk. The article is titled “5 Ways to Teach your Toddler to Clean up Their Toys.” It is a great resource and is only available to subscribers. 

Author Bio- I’m Rachel founder of Explore Kid Talk.  I’m a Special Education Teacher and a mom to two boys.  I write a Parent’s Resource for children.  This often includes activities, development and day to day life with children.  I’ve found that so many families have difficulty with keeping their children busy, happy and learning at the same time. Which is why it is my passion to give you tips and strategies to help deal with day to day life with children.  I’d love for you to take a look. 

You can find more from Rachel at

Website-https://www.explorekidtalk.com/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/explorekidtalk/