When Families Stay Involved in Education, Student Success Rises

Education doesn't just happen in the classroom; the home is the first and most important learning environment.

According to Former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard Riley, "Thirty years of research shows that when family and community members are directly involved in education, children achieve better grades and higher test scores, have much higher reading comprehension, graduate at higher rates, are more likely to enroll in higher education, and are better behaved."

"Family involvement is especially important in middle level schools," reports Sue Swaim, Executive Director, National Middle School Association. "It's at this time when young adolescents are establishing habits that will follow them through their lives. Family support and a degree of structure in the home will provide a foundation for success for middle school students."

Swaim recommends five actions that families can take to support students:

1. Establish a daily family routine. This includes providing time, space and materials needed for studying. Young adolescents should be assigned regular household tasks to help develop responsibility. Good health habits are also an important part of the home with the proper balance of rest and sleep, good nutrition, and a good breakfast before going to school. Hungry students aren't strong learners in the classroom.

2. Model the value of learning and hard work. Reading at home and engaging in other learning activities demonstrate to students that parents see education as an important part of everyone's life. Some families designate a specific time when everyone reads. Parents can also encourage open discussions with young adolescents on issues of the day or decisions regarding their lives. When parents encourage frank discussions, they demonstrate that they respect their youngster's opinions.

3. Monitor out-of-school activities. It's important for adolescents to have rules, but those rules should be discussed with the child so that he or she understands why they are in place. Parents should also guide the use of leisure time so that it is constructive. This includes time with friends, after school activities and television or relaxation time. There's room for all these items, but they should be balanced. It's also important for parents to reward success and apply sanctions in a consistent manner so that young adolescents will understand that hard work is appreciated and there are limits to what they may do.

4. Encourage your child's overall development and progress in school. When parents express an interest in their child's school work, it shows that parents value what students are achieving in their education. But this means more than simply asking "What did you do in school today?" Encourage your child to explain projects and other work. Attend appropriate school events, and stay in touch with your child's teachers.

5. Encourage reading, writing and discussing among all family members. Education should not be seen as an activity in which only the child is involved. Parents can relate everyday experiences to what is happening in the classroom. Families should discuss current events, evaluate television programming they watch together, and plan local family trips together that have educational value. Writing together, whether it's something as simple as grocery lists or more formal such as letters or diaries, demonstrates the value of writing.

"At this age, young adolescents frequently try to push away from their parents, but there is no substitute for family involvement in education," said Swaim. "The time parents spend with their children today will increase their success in school and life."

Changes for RMS for 2011-2012

You may be hearing about changes at Rockford Middle School for the 2011-12 school year. Rockford Middle School will become a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Magnet School, with an emphasis on environmental studies.

The Minnesota Department of Education defines magnet schools as “a public school that offers a curricular emphasis or theme that meets all state academic standards.” There are currently 73 magnet schools in Minnesota that offer a variety of themes. More specific information regarding Minnesota Magnet programs can be found on the MDE website.

Rockford Middle School will offer an environmental theme,incorporating subjects of interest in students and instructional methods integrated into those subjects. This intensive, focused study may include working directly with an environmental specialist, directing a student-led project, and incorporating theory into real-world practice.

So what is the connection between STEM and the environment? To quote John Dewey from his book The School and Society:

“Experience [outside the school] has its geographical aspect, its artistic and its literary, its scientific and its historical sides. All studies arise from aspects of the one earth and the one life lived upon it.”

Environmental education focuses on how to live correctly in the world. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University, proposed seven different intelligences in children and adults: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Recently, an eighth was added to the list: naturalist intelligence, or “nature smart”.

Today’s students are digital natives: the use of the internet and gadgets is part of their daily lives. The upshot is, our society may be, in a sense, de-natured, with the Internet and other electronics replacing nature in our lives.

Our mission at Rockford Middle School for the 2011-12 school year will be to “unplug” our students from screens and “plug” them into nature.

Parent Involvement Quiz

If you are concerned about your level of involvement, please answer yes or no to the following statements:

-- I attend events for parents, such as school plays and musical performances.
-- I attend parent-teacher conferences and any other meetings hosted by the school.
-- I have met all of my child’s teachers & communicate through email or phone calls.
-- I use the Parent Portal to check grades and assignments.
-- I ask my child about what he is learning in school.
-- I am aware of the type of homework my child does. I suggest resources, such as reference books or Internet searches, where he/she might find additional help.

How well are you doing?
Mostly "yes" answers mean you are continuing to be involved in your child’s education.
Mostly "no" answers? The above statements offer ideas for staying involved in your child’s school life.

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What Makes Great Middle Level Educators Great?

Great Middle Level Educators connect curriculum to the lives of young adolescents. Great Middle Level Educators grasp the unique characteristics of young adolescents. Great Middle Level Educators are also consistent--these educators truly understand the importance of maintaining a flexible, yet consistent, classroom. Great Middle Level Educators realize that consistency is the best way to handle distractions, disruptions, disputes, and occasional disorder. Rockford Middle Level Educators demonstrate these skills on a daily basis. Rockford Middle School has GREAT Middle Level Educators. Please attend Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences to see first hand what makes Rockford Middle School Teachers truly GREAT educators.

Crosswalk Safety

Each year students are reminded to cross our highways and high traffic areas in designated crosswalk areas at all times. Keeping our students safe takes a combined effort between parents/guardians, schools and communities. Your support in our effort to keep our students safe is very much appreciated.

The Difference Between Rules and Policies and Procedures

Every school has a set of school-wide rules that students are expected to follow. Many of these rules relate to safety and management issues. Rules are outlined in a school handbook. They are created by district and school personnel and are reviewed on a yearly basis.
Policies are set by the school board. Policies guide rules and procedures used in schools and classrooms.
Classroom procedures are created by classroom teachers. These specific procedures help the teacher or teaching team with organizational issues. They help keep the class under control and keep things moving in an orderly fashion.