The Home/School Partnership
The Lab School is a place where children, families and staff work and learn together with the hope of enriching each other’s lives. Active parent involvement in all aspects of our program is essential to achieving this goal. When parents are actively involved in their child’s school children feel valued and experience the security and comfort of continuity in their world. There are many opportunities for communication, collaboration and participation throughout the school year. We encourage parents to take full advantage of being part of our community…in spite of the parking hassles!
Here are some of the ways teachers will communicate with families:
A home visit or classroom visit will be scheduled for all children and their families during the two weeks before the fall session begins or prior to enrollment for families entering later in the year. The purpose of this meeting is to allow the child and parents to become acquainted with the teacher and begin to establish a trusting relationship. It also gives parents and teachers an opportunity to exchange information.
Conferences will be scheduled by Lead Teachers in October and February. These conferences give parents and teachers the opportunity to meet privately and share information about the child’s overall development at home and at school and to establish goals addressing each child’s cognitive, creative, social, emotional and physical development. Conferences may also be initiated by a parent or a teacher at any time during the year. Whenever possible, both parents are encouraged to attend conferences.
Daily communication can take place at drop off and pick up times. Plan to take time periodically for a brief discussion of your child’s activities at home or at school. *As the arrival and departure of children are busy times for teachers, you are encouraged to arrange a phone call, e-mail contact, or a conference for more lengthy discussions.
Weekly plans small group news and daily announcements for each class are posted on individual classroom pages on our website and/or sent home via email, as well as posted on the bulletin board outside of each classroom.
Class newsletters are written by both lead and student teachers. These letters generally go into more depth about what is happening in the classrooms and explain the value of the play that is the heart of our program.