Today's Lesson

In our experience we have met 2 types of parents; parents looking for the best school (‘best’ based on a set of criteria predetermined well before they speak to us). And - the other type of parent.  Parents who are determined to find the best school for their child.

 

If you are the first type of parent, best of luck to you on your search. We are confident you will find an amazing school (as many do exist) and your child may (or may not) bask in their glow of excellence. Unfortunately, excellence does not breed through osmosis. We believe that one rather, should approach selecting their child’s school with a grain of realism. 

 

Which brings me to the most important question you can ask yourself to launch your search: “What is the best school for my child?”

 

At Wolff Educational Services we conduct needs assessments that breaks this criteria into 3 selection houses. They are the Social, Emotional and Academic Houses of your child’s success and achievement at school. We have broken these houses into realistic criteria based on actual achievement data (the learning skills) and are written in academic language (reflective of curriculum expectations). Once the assessment is completed, it is simply a matter of matching the results (your child's area of strength and need) with the schools that offer programming in these areas. The equation breeds student success and achievement. Its flawless in its design.

 

Parents, education today is comprised of these 3 houses working together in unity and harmony. Students must demonstrate learning in all 3 of these areas in order to be successful. The way the curriculum is taught and learned is not inherent of 20th century practices anymore. 21st century classrooms are much more layered in there design and learning platforms are reflective of differentiated instruction, individualized for your child to demonstrate learning and skills. 

 

Before you begin your school search, know what it is your are looking for. Know what your child's strengths and areas of need are in each area (house) of the learning platforms and how they relate to both the classroom and school. Understand what the classroom does and can do, map the landscape as you would any foreign environment. 

 

And if you feel like you need an education in all things education before you try and map out a route for your child - call us! We can help - however, we will only find the best school for your child….not necessarily what you think is the best school.

 

Until Our Next Lesson……

 

Do you have questions or concerns that were not addressed this year because you did not recieve a Provincial Report Card? Put your HAND UP! in our virtual classroom...

For the first time in a long time the school year ended and your child did not come home with a Provincial Report card. There was no descriptive feedback discussing their strengths and areas of improvement and there were no learning skills that explained how your child learns and performs best at school.  

This lack of information can leave many wondering - and we are certain many parents like yourself have numerous questions. Questions such as:  What can be said about my child’s achievements this year? How did they grow academically? Did they improve their social skills? Grow their emotional intelligence? Become productive community members in the classroom and beyond? What factors indicate these growths and developments? What are the next steps my child needs to be taking to help narrow the achievement gap? How can I help them do this? 

 As parents we are sometimes in the dark when it comes to navigating the classroom, curriculum and learning expectations. We are not familiar with important terms that impact daily assessment and evaluation such as Overall and Specific expectations, Success Criteria and Summative evaluations.  Parents rely on the provincial report card to explain the learning that takes place, so they can best understand how their child learns and what their areas of strength and improvement are.   

 What we do know as parents is that education jargon is often spoken without translation, decisions about your child's academic program and environment are sometimes made without your knowledge and that all of the information you need to make informed decisions regarding your child's academic, social and emotional welfare is not always shared and made accessible. Do you have a question or concern that you were not able to ask or share? Put your HANDS UP! and ask us - Wolff Educational Services can answer your questions and address your concerns. 

So, if you want answers pertaining to your child’s learning, their placement, areas of improvement or transitions, answers that were not addressed with achievement data -  Wolff Educational Services can help - we are offering HANDS UP! A place where parents can email us their questions or concerns and we can provide accurate up-to-date relevant information as it pertains to your individual questions and concerns.

Just click on the link below and send us your questions or concerns and we will reply with the answers you need to know. Just because school is out and you do not have a report card in hand does not mean the learning ends….so put your HANDS UP! And ask us anything that you feel was not addressed or answered in the absence of the provincial report card.  

 http://www.wolffeducationalservices.ca/hands-up/

Until Our Next Lesson...