Useful Tips and Links for Parents

Developing a partnership 
We appreciate your help: We appreciate the generous support provided by you, our parents and caregivers. At the beginning of each year and occasionally through our newsletter, we appeal for helpers to assist with: library maintenance; mechanical work; sports coaching; art and craft; transport for class and sports trips; working bees; receipting activity money; carpentry; chaperoning; fundraising committees; making teaching equipment and classroom helping e.g, remedial reading, swimming, sewing. We would appreciate your help with any of these activities. If you are interested in helping, please call in or phone our office. 
We value your input in our Charter: The Board of Trustees has the responsibility of reviewing and updating our Charter and Policies. From time to time we may ask you to contribute to this development through formulating or commenting on a policy. We invite you to participate fully in this process, as we value your feedback on our school. 
Attitudes are Important: Lytton Street School has a proud record of developing and caring for its students. You have an important part to play in this partnership. Please work with us to achieve the best possible outcomes for all children.

Together, we will live to learn and learn to live.
Useful sites


Funology - The Science of Having Fun
www.funology.com


The Ministry of Education 
www.minedu.govt.nz


Feilding - Information site 
www.feilding.co.nz


Kiwi Conservation Club 
www.kcc.org.nz


National Geographic 
www.nationalgeographic.com


"What's Up?" Help for Young Kiwis
The Kids Help Foundation Trust offers a telephone counselling service for children and young people
www.whatsup.co.nz
Getting Involved in School – some ideas
•  Meet the teacher
•  Visit the school
•  Go to parent-teacher interviews
•  Join the PTA
•  Read the school newsletter & website
•  Get to know the Principal
•  Read the school rules and policies
•  Volunteer your time and talents
•  Attend school events
•  Have fun!
Ten Ways to Help your Children Succeed
  1. Talk with your children – talk early and often, provide them with information, feedback, a sympathetic ear, good advice based on family values, support rather than criticism. They will come to you throughout their lives for guidance if their early experiences are positive. 
  2. Set high but realist expectations. No one knows better than you your children's true abilities. Note their strengths and talents and gently encourage them. Assist them in setting realistic self-expectations. 
  3. Build your children's sense of self-worth. As children grow and make choices they will make mistakes. Knowing they have your unconditional love and support whatever happens will help them pick themselves up and start again when things do go wrong. 
  4. Keep your children healthy. Children who do well at school come to class rested, well-fed and emotionally prepared. Children who are well-nourished in every respect have the foundation for success. 
  5. Support learning at school . Involvement in your child's learning starts at home. Create the conditions for good learning – books, computer, quiet study area, library membership, time set aside for homework, interest in progress and reports. 
  6. Communicate with the school. Teachers who never hear from Parents often assume they are not interested. Attend meetings. Read notices and newsletters. Offer help. Join the PTA. Send polite notes to your children's teachers. 
  7. Encourage a spirit of inquiry. Show your children what a wonderful place the world is. Visit parks, museums, art galleries. There's plenty of free entertainment and exploration available. Curiosity about the world around them is the first step to children's thirst for knowledge. 
  8. Build friendships. Children want to fit in and feel they belong. Welcome their friends to your home. Show your children how to be good friends. Teach them the difference between true friendship and popularity. 
  9. Keep your children safe. Identify risks and hazards and show your children how to avoid them. Children develop a sense of security when they are taught what to do if they are in danger. 
  10. Speak well of teachers and schools. Children learn their attitudes from you and will like and respect their teachers if they see you do the same.