KAREN LONG spoke of E-mail... to DAN TRIPLETT on 07-05-97
KL>DT> Thanks for the L--O--N--G reply...
KL> 
KL>My apologies.  Saw a lot of complaining about how slow the echo was, 
KL>didn't think it would hurt...but I was told otherwise.
It has been slow around here lately...and I didn't mind the long reply 
either...I was quite impressed with the list of accomplishments you and 
your daughter have made.  I think your list proves your point that your 
daughter can learn when given the proper help she needs.  I say "Well 
done!"
KL>I'll be disconnecting from this echo with this message.  I truly 
KL>appreciate your concern and support.  My entire reasons for joining 
KL>this echo were to get help from TEACHERS on how to teach my daughter,
KL>I mean, what better people to ask than teachers themselves, right?  I
KL>erred in that decision...the fact that I'm "just" a parent couldn't
KL>be  overlooked.
I hope you will reconsider disconnecting from this echo.  I think many 
of us here are interested in how things go for you and Chelsea next year 
in school.  We also understand the frustrations you have faced and hope 
your efforts can bring some attention to an apparent problem that exists 
at Chelsea's school. 
I don't think you erred in your decision to come to this echo.  Speaking 
for myself, I'm glad you came.  I think others here would say the same.  
If you were talked to by the moderator for the post don't worry.  In my 
short time here I have been reminded several times regarding the echo 
rules.  
As far as your being "just a parent,"  I don't believe there is such a 
thing.  Parents really are their child's _First Teachers_ and are really 
the ones responsible for an early foundation.  In my 8 years as a 
kindergarten teacher I have seen just how important those early years 
are.  I am speaking of birth to 5!  By the time a child comes to my 
classroom, the parents have taught them a lot.
The following is my opinion but one I really believe in.  I did not 
always think this way.  While I had to work hard to earn my degrees, my 
teaching certificate is not what makes me a teacher.  I see a teaching 
certificate as a license to learn.  I have learned far more "on the job" 
than school could ever have prepared me for.  And of course I am still 
learning.  
I believe that the home to school connection is of vital importance for 
a child's success in schools.  I truly do view parents as partners in 
the education of their child.  My experience has taught me that 
generally, when parents are involved in their child's education, that 
child does significantly better than children whose parents are not 
involved.  This involvement can be through the Parent and Teacher 
association (we call it the PTSO....Parent, Teacher, and Student 
Organization).  Parents can also be involved (at least at the elementary 
level) in the classroom.  We have parents in our classrooms on a daily 
basis.  Some helping in small groups, some tutoring one-on-one, and some 
helping with the many preparation tasks that need to be done.  Another 
vital place for parental involvement is in the home.  When parents talk 
to their children _daily,_ listen to their children _daily,_ read and 
spend time with their children _daily_ they are contributing in a very 
positive way to their child's success in school.  When they send their 
child to school with a good breakfast, they help prepare that child for 
a successful day.  
Now it is me who is getting long.  I am sure the list could go on and 
on.  Suffice it to say that parental involvement in schools can and does 
make a big difference in the success of, not only their child, but the 
entire school as well.  
Take care and I hope to hear from you again....
Dan    
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