To ALL Parents
When your children are in class online, please keep in mind that they need a quiet environment.
- Keep televisions and music-playing devices off.
- Refrain from having conversations (in person or on the phone) in the same room where your child is studying. Not only are these distractions for your child, but they also interrupt the whole class.
- Student's mics should be muted unless they are speaking with the class/teacher.
- It’s best for your child to leave their video on during the entire class so the teacher can see your child when they are interacting. We understand that privacy in your home may be important to you. There is a solution to this! Students may opt to use the “background effects feature” in Microsoft TEAMS. To do this, click on the three dots (ellipsis) on the toolbar next to the "raise hand" icon. Click on “Apply background effects”. Choose your preferred background. Then click on “Apply & turn on video” (the blue button on the bottom of the Background Settings list.)
To Non-Spanish-speaking PK, K & New To Dual Language Parents
We understand that you may have concerns about how your child is settling into the dual language program, especially during this time of virtual instruction. Have faith in your child and his/her teacher. They know what they are doing. You might feel a bit frantic because neither you nor your child understands everything that the teacher is saying. Understanding will come with time. Please do not panic!
Here is some important information from the HISD Multilingual Department for dual language parents:
“Parents quite often feel some anxiety about having their child educated in a language which they themselves do not speak. They often worry about not being able to help with homework, or about not understanding their child’s difficulties. Immersion teachers know that the children often come from monolingual homes and consider this when assigning work. English dominant parents should expect some level of frustration to be expressed by their child. The calm support of parents facilitates the adjustment to a new language and instructional environment.
Reading aloud with your child in your native language every day is very important. It creates an interest in books, it enlarges your child’s vocabulary and it broadens his/her experience. Research clearly demonstrates that second language acquisition is dependent upon first language development. When you strengthen your child’s native language, he/she becomes more successful in learning the second language.”
To read the complete document,click here.
