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Home and School Communication and Support
At
Oliver Ellsworth School the parent, teacher and student
are in a partnership committed to the academic success
of each student. Communication is a key ingredient of
this partnership. Every student has a homework planner
that is used for the entire school year. The planner
contains pertinent information for students and
families ranging from the school calendar, protocol for
phoning in an absence and important phone numbers. The
planners contain space for students to write daily
homework and space for teachers and parents to engage in
written communication. Prior to the beginning of the new
school year a PTO sponsored “New Students” picnic is
held for students and their families and teachers visit
the homes of each incoming first grade student to
welcome them to their new school and to present them
with a packet of school materials.. At the beginning of
the school year teachers phone the homes of new students
to introduce themselves and to assure families that
there is a triangle of partnership among the teacher,
student and family and to open the lines of
communication. Report card conferences are held twice
during the school year. Students are encouraged to
attend along with their parents. Raising Readers
Workshops and Raising Mathematicians Workshops are held
during the year to acquaint parents to the requirements
in these two academic areas. A Connecticut Mastery Test
Workshop is held for parents yearly to inform them about
the academic requirements of the assessment. Nightly
homework in reading is completed by every student after
which a Read and Respond Form is signed by parents, as a
confirmation that their child has completed the reading
assignment. To promote and support parenting skills, a
pre-school playgroup is held weekly for children and
their parents in the Family Resource Center. A book club
with a parenting/children focus is held monthly for
parents. Homework Packets are sent home for completion
during vacations and during the summer there is an
expectation that each student reads four books. Parents
play an integral role in students meeting these
requirements. PTO is held monthly at which relevant
school related topics are presented to parents by
teachers and outside agencies. Monthly PTO sponsored
family events are well attended. The PTO has also been
instrumental in providing enriching activities for our
students. The school governance committee has parent
membership. Mentors from Windsor businesses regularly
visit students at school. At Oliver Ellsworth School
learning is public and we invite and encourage our
community and parents to visit and volunteer.
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