No Child Left At Home

            According to Dr. Thomas Gordon, there are millions of new mothers and fathers taking on a job each year that ranks among the most difficult anyone can have, taking a baby who is almost totally helpless, assuming full responsibility for his/her physical and psychological health and raising him/her so the child will become a productive, cooperative, and contributing citizen.

            The parent helps the child take the first steps toward setting lifetime habits. Though the modeling of what is important and how to organize life’s responsibilities the parent sets examples that impacts the developing habits of a child. These early traits will become important life skills.

            When students arrive on time for school, they get the day started in a positive way. The student has time to put away materials and get materials organized for morning work. The teacher is able to take attendance and take care of classroom business while students get started on their morning work. The instructional day starts as soon as the students walk into the classroom. Organizational skills and time management skills are taught. Responsibility is encouraged.

            When a student arrives late or leaves early the classroom is disrupted. The teacher must stop the instructional day to attend to the student who is arriving or leaving. Any instruction, direction, or information for the student must be repeated on a one-to-one level due to the fact the student is not present when the instruction, direction, or information is given. This impacts all the students in the classroom.

            For students to value education, parents must demonstrate a commitment to their child and the school by being involved in the educational process and working within the structure set by the school system and school. Eileen Garry identifies truancy as the major problem in this country that negatively influences the future of our youth and costs taxpayers thousands of dollars. Shay Bilchik, Truancy: First Step to a Lifetime of Problems, states that parents must be involved and held responsible for their children’s attendance. Research also indicates a strong correlation between absence and attainment for individual students. The government sees reducing absence for school as a priority under the No Child Left Behind Act.

            Nannie Berry appreciates our parent’s efforts in making sure our students arrive on time so positive life traits are set in their early years.