This Momorandum is sponsored by Personal Touch Early Intervention Program.    Learn More Below! 

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We couldn’t possibly recreate the engaging discussion that was the central to our Fall Luncheon in NY last week on “How to be a Class Mom from the Office.” However, for those who could not join us (or for those who were there, but did not take notes)… here are some of our favorite tips from our experts:
   
Create a “Wizard of Oz” phenomenon– project yourself as more available than you are:

• Spend an hour in the class, early on:  Find one morning when you can arrive late to work and spend an hour volunteering in the classroom. This way you can absorb the dynamic between the kids, observe interactions with the teacher, and put faces to the names you’ve been hearing about.
• Build a teacher bond: Send in a note to the teacher early on telling her/him that you’re always quickly accessible to touch base via email, work phone, or cell phone during the day.
• Let teachers know you can still support them: Teachers appreciate all the help they can get- so let them know that you’re available to help, even if in less traditional ways. Offer up your talents — whether sharing what you do at work, or creating posters/flyers/handouts after hours.
• Do “homework” together: As your child plows through the night’s homework, do your own “homework” right alongside him, whether it’s catching up on emails, or even balancing your checkbook. It shows you’re available for helping out … and homework time becomes a shared ritual.

From Stacy DeBroff, President of Mom Central. Enjoy more of her ideas at momcentral.com
 
Apply your management skills to effective school communication, and involvement:

• Plan Ahead: Develop a school-year strategy that includes contact information, carpool arrangements, after school activities, and an emergency plan. Share it with your childcare provider, the teacher … and keep a copy at the office.
• Get the Most Out of Parent/Teacher Conferences:  Do your own homework first and make that one parent/teacher conference both productive and efficient. Come prepared with a list of your questions, and help decode their answers by being familiar with key education-speak. Scholastic.com has a “Teacher Translator” glossary that offers simple definitions and explanations of what are often complex educational issues.
• Integrate your executive and mom lives, on- line: Since you are likely online 24/7 (or close), encourage your child’s teacher to be web savvy too. Teachers can create a free homepage through Scholastic.com where they can post homework assignments, develop message boards, post permission slips, class schedules and more.

From top Scholastic academic officials Francie Alexander and Akimi Gibson. Access these resources and more at the Family Site on scholastic.com.
 
   
This Momorandum is sponsored by Personal Touch Early Intervention  

Concerned about a child’s development? Personal Touch offers high quality, caring developmental services for children. Learn more by calling 718/380-7600 ext. 101. And while you’re at it, ask as well about the National Association Of Mothers’ Centers’ 9th Annual Work/Life Conference (or learn more about this event at www.motherscenter.org).