Parent Page

respect cakeAt Macopin School we place great emphasis on educating our students academically as well as socially.  We strive daily to promote citizenship and character for all of our students.  This year we have instituted the Project Adventure approach to social decision making.  Students participate in monthly team building activities with an emphasis on character development during their Physical Education classes.  The following day, those students are engaged in homeroom meetings in which they debrief those activities with the focus being the social dynamic that took place in Physical Education.  Our students take the lessons learned from these activities and use them as they make decisions throughout their day.   Click below to view recent Project Adventure activities. 

Rock, Paper, Scissor

Poison Ball

Poison Ball 2



Project Adventure Core Values:
Be Here, Be Safe, Be Honest, Be Respectful, Set Goals, and Let Go and Move On


fairview lake
All of our trips and activities
are dependent upon the students being good citizens and displaying good character.  Our disciplinary point system is used to help set the threshold for acceptable student behavior, which in turn determines the students’ eligibility for our trips and activity nights.  The point system also allows for students to “earn” points back in one of two ways; going an entire month without a discipline referral or going above and beyond our normally high expectations to help a fellow student or staff member.  Our Back to School presentation highlights some of the many activities that offer at Macopin School. 
  
View Back to School Night Presentation

We have number or resources for our parents as well:

www.character.org    The National Character Education Partnership

www.pa.org Project Adventure

www.fosi.org The Family Online Safety Institute

www.camfel.com Assembly Information (Nov. 14.)

mr. ryerson with students in advisoryTHE FAMILY-SCHOOL CONNECTION 

Educators have suggested a number of concrete actions that parents can take to help their children learn.  As their children's first teachers, parents and families can: 

Schedule daily homework time.  Establish a time each day for your child to be engaged in academic work.  Review it regularly.  Provide a quiet, well-lighted place to study.  Turn off TVs and radios. Also, discourage phone calls during work time. Encourage your child's efforts and be available for questions. Spend time discussing what he/she has learned. 

While schools have the responsibility of assigning meaningful work, students have the responsibility to complete it, and parents have the responsibility to make sure they complete it. Time spent on academic work at home is directly related to student achievement. 

Read together Read with your children and let them see you and older children read. Take your children to the library to get a library card, and help them find books reflecting their interests and hobbies.  Establish a "No TV Night" periodically, when no family member is allowed to watch television. 

Studies show that when parents read to their children, or listen to them read on a regular basis, achievement improves.  Taking the time to read with children is the most successful way to encourage kids to read and is crucial to a child's education.

Use TV and Computer time wisely.  Limit the amount of viewing and always be aware of what your child is watching or what site he/she is visiting.  When chosen carefully, some television programs and Internet sites can help increase interest in learning and discussion.  Select programs to watch together, and discuss the contents of the program with your child. 

Keep in touch with the school.  Don't leave it up to the school to let you know how and what your children are learning, what their assignments are, and how they are doing. Make a point of regularly monitoring your child’s grades online.  Email or leave a voice mail with the teacher.  Don't wait until there is a problem.  The partnership between parents and teachers is key to creating a climate conducive to learning at home and at school.  The most efficient method of communication is e-mail.  The e-mail and voice mail of the teacher is available on the Macopin website.

Offer praise and encouragement.  Encourage your child to put in the time and effort to complete assignments and to work hard.  Encourage him/her to persevere.  Help your child to understand that such qualities are necessary for success in all life, not only school.  Cultivate a warm and supporting home atmosphere while also setting and enforcing standards for schoolwork. 

Parents play a dominant role in influencing a child's confidence and motivation to become a successful learner.  Parents should encourage children to participate in enrichment programs and outside experiences that will enhance their self-confidence and broaden their interests. 

Talk to your teenager.  Know who your teen's friends are and stay aware of his/her whereabouts.  Support your teens in their school and extracurricular activities.  Continue to set and enforce rules.  Stress your child's importance as a role model to younger siblings. 

Children and parents can learn a lot about each other just by talking.  Parents should communicate their values openly with their teenager.  By talking about the importance of values such as honesty, self-reliance, and responsibility, parents are helping their children make good decisions.

Be enthusiastic about your child's daily school experiences and encourage the child to attend school regularly and on time.  The school cannot help a child to learn if he/she is not in class every day or frequently late.  If there is an emergency and the child cannot attend school or will be late for school, it is the parent's responsibility to call the school and inform the attendance office (call the attendance line for student absences at 973-208-2869).  A written excuse signed by one of the parents must be submitted to the homeroom teacher the next day the child attends. 

Preparation for school begins at home.  Help your child prepare for school by making sure that he/she is well rested (has enough sleep), is well fed (a balanced diet is critical to maximum learning), is neat and clean, and has completed his/her homework.  Before the child leaves for school, you can assure that the child does not forget his homework, his books or pencils. 

We are in this together.  Remember that it is in your child's best interests for him/her to see that you and the school are working together.  Do not let the child believe that he/she can set you and the school at odds, and in that way escape responsibility.  If ever you have a question about something your child tells you, call the school to straighten out the matter.
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