We’ve all been there. Your student comes home from school and you ask them how their day went. They say “Fine.” Or “Good.” Or “Boring.”
You try to dig deeper, try to get them to give you more details about their day. And maybe, if you’re lucky and they’re in a sharing mood, they give you one specific detail or one thing they actually did in the six and a half hours they spent at school.
This can be a frustrating experience for parents. We’ve been there, too.
But what if you had information that empowered you to ask more specific questions that prevent your students from avoiding this conversation with a one word answer?
Well, that’s an important part of our job as educators in the Reading School District. We need to ensure that we are providing families and caregivers all the information they need to ask these types of questions.
So, each month, we are going to do this. We are going to talk the talk and give you the ability to do the same at home.
For the month of October, a couple of questions you may want to ask your child are as follows:
“How did you feel about the benchmark tests you took last month? Do you know why your teachers had you take those tests?”
“What goals did you set for yourself based on the data your teachers shared with you? What do you hope to accomplish this year as a student in your classes?”
“Do you know why it matters that you become the best reader possible?”
Here are our answers to these questions that can back you up as you engage your student in this conversation.
All RSD students take special check-in tests three times a year. Think of them like progress snapshots that show teachers and leaders exactly where each child is on their learning journey. With that information, we can make sure every student gets the right support and opportunities to grow!
Your teacher will work with you to set goals and share your benchmark results, so you—and your family—know what you’re great at and what you can keep getting better at. Your part in this journey is just as important as your teacher’s—maybe even more! This is your future, and we want you to have every chance to succeed in whatever you dream of doing. The skills you’re building now will help you get there!
Being a great reader matters because it helps kids understand the world, learn new things, and use their imagination. Reading makes school easier, opens up more opportunities, and lets families share stories together. Strong reading skills give kids confidence and set them up for success in life. Being a great reader is like having a superpower—it helps you learn cool things, go on adventures without leaving your chair, do better in school, and feel confident. The better you read, the more doors open for your future!
If you ever have questions about what we do here to support every single student here in RSD please do not hesitate to reach out. It is, quite literally, our job to support you as we partner to support your students along their learning journey here in RSD. You’ve got this and we’ve got you!