Classroom Etiquette for Parents

Notions on Notices: If your child is in school, you are likely inundated with stacks of brightly colored notices. Be disciplined and go through these notices daily. If there is something that needs to be signed, do it promptly and return it as soon as you can. Teachers have a lot to manage, and sending home second or third notices to negligent parents adds to an already full schedule. Additionally, if you are sending in money for a book order or a school field trip, send the exact change.

Be Prompt: Arriving at school on time sets the tone for the day. Teachers often set aside time in the morning for children to put away their belongings and get settled. The child who is habitually late to school cannot benefit from that time to shift from the busy morning routine to the school routine. Not only is a late arrival disruptive to the class, but the child who is late often feels as if she's missed something, and invariably the teacher must take time away from the rest of the class to get her settled. Making a conscious effort to have your child at school on time demonstrates respect for your child, her teacher, and her classmates.

Make an Appointment to Speak with the Teacher: A clear line of communication between parent and teacher is essential to a child's success. Parents must be respectful of the teacher's time. Stopping by first thing in the morning to talk to the teacher as she is preparing for the day is inappropriate. Likewise, a teacher cannot give proper focus to the students or your concern when children are streaming into the classroom. If you have a concern, write a note, send an email, or ask the teacher for a good time to meet. Setting up a mutually beneficial meeting time will benefit both parties, and your concern will receive the attention it deserves.

Be a Good Volunteer: If you plan to volunteer in your child's classroom, discuss the role of a parent volunteer with your child. Remind him that volunteers are there to help all of the children in the classroom, and while you are very excited to see him engage in classroom activities, you cannot spend all of your time by his side. Volunteering allows you to get a sense of the classroom dynamics, the other students in the class, and the general atmosphere. Encouraging your child to behave as he would if you weren't there will give you insight into how he manages his daily school life.

Good etiquette boils down to respect, care, and compassion. Adults and children who demonstrate good etiquette ultimately express an ability to be considerate and show empathy toward people with whom they come into contact. Taking the time to expect and model good etiquette for your child from day to day will not only help him find success in the classroom, but will lay the foundation for successful and respectful relationships in the future.

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