Parents play an important role in the education of their children. Their involvement and encouragement can help a child excel. Or Hachaim encourages parents to take an active role in the education of their children.

Homework

Helping Your Child Study

  • Establish a Routine. Setting a regular time and sticking to it helps children complete their homework assignments.
  • Set the Mood. Ensure the room your child studies in is quiet, has plenty of light, and has school supplies close at hand. Remove distractions by turning off the television and discouraging social phone calls during homework time.
  • Show an Interest. Ask your child about school activities and talk about what was discussed in school that day. Take your child to the library to check out materials for homework, and make time to read with your child as often as you can.

Monitoring Homework Assignments

  • Be Informed. Homework logs are sent home each Monday with your child. Ask your child for the log and sign that you saw it and are aware that your child did their assignments. Homework is also posted on the web site. Ask your child's teachers about the kind of assignments that will be given and what kind of time frame the children have to complete them.
  • Be Involved. Ask the teacher how you can help with homework. Be available to answer your child's questions, look over completed assignments, and encourage your child to share returned assignments so you can read the teacher's comments.

Providing Guidance to Homework Assignments

  • Learn How Your Child Learns. Understand your child's learning style and develop routines that best support how he or she learns best.
  • Encourage Good Study Habits. Help your child get organized. Ensure your child has scheduled enough time to complete assignments.
  • Talk. Discuss homework with your child. Talking about an assignment can help your child think it through and break it down into small, workable parts.
  • Provide Encouragement. Find ways to support your child's efforts in completing assignments.

Reading with Your Child

  • Make Reading a Priority. Let your child know how important it is to read regularly. Establish a regular time and place for reading.
  • Read to Your Child. Make time to read to your child on a regular basis. It is a great way to help develop a love of learning.
  • Ask Your Child to Read to You. Have your child read aloud to you.
  • Keep Reading Material Close By. Make sure children's books and magazines are easily accessible. Keep a basket of books in the family room, kitchen, or your child's bedroom to encourage him or her to read more often.
  • Visit the Library. Make visits to the library a regular activity and let your children select their own books.

Be a Reading Role Model. Read a lot. Let your child see you read.

 

Internet Safety

Social networking sites are not permitted to be used by students and no student should have their own social networking page. Computer technology is moving at a fast pace. Therefore it is important that parents understand this technology and learn how the net works. It is important that parents open a dialogue with their children and learn about the sites that their children visit and are interested in. Surfing the net is very dangerous, and Or HaChaim does not believe that our students should be allowed to “surf the net.” At times teachers may give web-sites for students to use. Should a student decide to do a report and use an internet source, they should use the internet under the supervision of a parent. Parents must make sure students never plagiarize from any internet source.

The following are guidelines for Internet use:

  1. Teach students never to give out personal information online. The most important online safety rule for kids is protecting their personal privacy. Your child should never give out their name, age, e-mail address, street address, phone number or picture without a parent's permission.
  2. Create a recommended list of resources for class and homework assignments. Bookmark safe, educational and relevant sites. Create an agreement that indicates which types of sites your children are allowed to visit, and which areas and activities are off-limits. Involve your children in this activity.
  3. Monitor Screens - Make sure that monitor screens are visible. Ensure that students' computers are arranged so that you can see the screen. Computers should be located in an area where parents and other guardians can constantly see what is going on.
  4. Passwords - Parents should know all passwords that students have for the computer, e-mail or cell phones.
  5. Just like you have a fence around a swimming pool to protect your children, you must protect your children from the internet.
  6. Cell Phones and Devices - Students may not bring cell phones or devices to school.