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Adding Wisdom to Knowledge.
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The VisionFrom the Headmaster
We are completing another semester at Richmond Academy. God continues to meet the needs of our families, and is creative and faithful as He does. The Lord has been speaking to our children about sacrifice lately. Sacrifice is what pleases Him. He doesn't wish that any sacrifice grudgingly but cheerfully. He promises to give back more than what is sacrificed. I have seen so many send their children to our school by faith that God would supply both the academic need and the financial need. I love to hear the testimonies of how He always meets the needs. He wants us to know the difference between what the world offers and what He can offer. "My ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isa. 55:9 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us." 1 John 3:1 God still answers prayer. Whatever we need, He will supply. We desire to raise up young people of faith that some day will be father's and mother's of the faith to the church. -Dr. S. Chad Ross Fourteen Ways You Can Help
1. Pray for us. 2. Give a memorial or honorarium gift to the Triune Fund 3. Remember Richmond Academy in your will 4. Purchase items at our Spirit Shop 5. Schedule us to visit your church or ask your pastor to speak at our chapel 6. Sign up for “.org News” www.richmondacademy.org 7. Turn in Box Tops for Education ($.10/label) 8. Link us to your website or advertise on ours 9. Volunteer your time 10. Turn in empty ink and toner cartridges ($3/cartridge) 11. Donate goods 12. Talk to your employer about sponsoring us 13. Hand out brochures at work or church 14. Recommend our school to other families
You want the best for your child. So do we. The world is changing fast, and it’s clear that all students today need to keep learning after high school, either at a two- or four-year college, at a trade school or apprenticeship program, or in the military. Your child needs to work toward one or more of those goals so he or she will have the knowledge and skills necessary to maximize the career opportunities available. After all, as much as you love them, you don’t want to support your children forever. Make sure that your student works hard and knows how important education is for his or her future. The following action stops can help you: 1. Build relationships with your teachers. Find out what each teacher expects and how you can support your son or daughter in meeting those expectations. 2. Read. Reading is the foundation for all learning. Expose your young person to a wide variety of reading materials (newspapers, magazines, books, Web) and be ready to discuss what he or she has learned. 3. Practice writing at home. Letters, journal entries, e-mail messages and grocery lists are all writing opportunities. Show that writing is an important form of communication. 4. Make math part of everyday life. Paying bills, balancing a checkbook, cooking and shopping are all good ways to help your young person understand and use mathematical skills. 5. Expect that homework will be done. Keep track of homework assignments and regularly look at your student’s completed work. Some teachers give parents a number to call for a recorded message of that day’s homework assignments; others put the information on the Internet. Talk to the teacher about how you can stay up-to-date with important information. 6. Use the community as a classroom. Continue feeding your child’s curiosity about the world 365 days a year. Visit museums, local government buildings, state parks and workplaces. Encourage your student to volunteer to show how learning connects to the real world. 7. Encourage group study. Open your home to your child’s friends for informal study sessions. Promote outside formal study groups through church or school organizations or other groups. Study habits learned early will carry over into high school and beyond. 8. Help other parents understand. Use your school and employee newsletters, athletic associations, booster clubs, RAPA meetings, or just a casual conversation to get your local community committed to a rigorous curriculum and high expectations for students. Find ways for these groups to step in and help all students succeed. 9. Spend time at school. The best way to know what goes on at school is to spend time there. You may not be able to do it very often, but once in awhile is better than never. 10. Learn more. There are many resources at your school, in your community, at your local library and online.
Goods and Services
We are in need of the following goods:
We are in need of the following services:
If you can help in any way, please contact the main office. Do you have a gift or talent that you would like to share with the children? Please contact us about that as well. We are always looking for volunteers to enhance our academic programs. Christian Values Are Foremost in Christian Education
How do you normally respond when your child’s teacher requests a parent-teacher conference? Do you view it as a step in the right direction in resolving whatever problems exist? Or do you think that something terrible has happened and your child is in serious trouble? For some parents the parent- teacher conference has a negative connotation, possibly because of past unpleasant conferences, poor communication with teachers, or fear of the unknown. Parent-teacher conferences provide you a wonderful opportunity to participate and share information with teachers that will help your child enhance his classroom performance or behavior. Interestingly, research shows that parental involvement increases student academic achievement. Although anxiety often accompanies a parent-teacher conference, advanced planning on your part can minimize this apprehension. The following suggestions will assist you in making your next parent-teacher conference a positive experience.
Before the Conference 1. Determine the purpose. This will allow you ample time to gather data and make preparations regarding the teacher’s concerns. If you initiate the conference, be sure to explain why you are requesting a meeting. 2. Schedule a conference when a problem first emerges. If a situation warrants a conference with your child’s teacher, don’t wait for the teacher to ask for a meeting. When you request a conference, you are demonstrating confidence in the teacher. 3. Know the proper protocol. You will need to find out who schedules conferences and the best time to meet, as well as where the meeting will occur. 4. Prepare talking points and questions. Jot down some talking points. This will help keep you calm and on track. Your questions may include the following: “What happened, and how can I help?” “How is my child performing academically in your class?” “How is his behavior at school?” “Does my child have a good relationship with his peers?”
During the Conference 1. Establish rapport with the teacher. Refrain from beginning the conference with negative comments. Instead, say something positive. For example, thank the teacher for taking time after school hours to help your child with his schoolwork or for writing an encouraging note on a recent test. 2. Demonstrate a positive attitude. Express your concerns in the right spirit and allow the teacher to respond without interruptions. Although you may become frustrated with the situation, focus on cooperating with the teacher in helping your child overcome his problem. Remember: the teacher is your ally. He may be as frustrated as you are, so work together and stay encouraged. 3. Participate in the problem-solving process. Both you and the teacher need to exchange information, ideas, and potential solutions. Work with the teacher in developing a plan to help your child. Be sure you clearly understand each other’s responsibilities in implementing the plan, that is, who is to do what. 4. Discuss ways to stay in touch. Monitoring your child’s progress will help you determine the effectiveness of the plan. Phone calls, c-mails, letters, and follow-up conferences are just some of the strategies that will enable you to stay up to date with your child’s progress.
After the Conference 1. Engage in reflective thinking. Upon the conclusion of the conference, take time to reflect on the meeting. You may want to document what was discussed. This will help you remember the conference details. 2. Discuss the conference with your child. Identify the positive comments, but be direct and honest as you address the problem. Also, discuss the decisions that were made by you and the teacher, for example, attending help class, receiving tutorial assistance, or sitting at the front of the class. 3. Implement and monitor the plan. Once the plan is implemented, continue to evaluate its effectiveness. Success indicators include, but are not limited to, higher test grades, better classroom behavior, renewed enthusiasm for learning, improved peer relationships, and spiritual growth.
Conclusion Effective parent-teacher conferences are planned; they don’t just happen. As a parent, you expect your child’s teacher to plan the meeting, to exercise wisdom, and to offer good advice. Similarly, you should understand your role before, during, and after the conference. When concerned adults develop a cooperative, working relationship in all phases of the conference, they exhibit the biblical advice given by Amos the prophet, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). This let’s-work-together relationship demonstrates that you and the teacher consider the education of your child a matter of great importance. The ultimate benefactor of teamwork is always the child, and this is what you want.
Dr. Brian Walker is the assistant education director of the American Association of Christian Schools.
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