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Friday, January 24, 2025AfiSectionindianapolisrecorder.comTuesday, January 14Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE), 8902 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, 46226Tuesday, February 11Shepherd Community Center, 4107 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, 46201Tuesday, March 18Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center, 2990 W. 71st St., Indianapolis, 46268Tuesday, April 22Global Village Welcome Center, 4233 Lafayette Rd., Indianapolis, 46254DINNER SERVED: 4:45%u20135:45 pmPANEL DISCUSSIONAND BREAKOUT SESSIONS: 6%u20138 pmFREE ON-SITE:ParkingChildcareTranslation (Spanish and Haitian Creole) For event information or to register, scan the QR code or visit themindtrust.org/eventsDon%u2019t miss this opportunity to get your questions answered and learn about issues impacting students and schools!A Community Conversation About EducationBEYOND THE BELLFREEPUBLIC EVENTS!BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOIN US TO STAY IN Event DetailsTHE KNOW ABOUT%u2022 New high school graduation requirements%u2022 IREAD and the new 3rdgrade retention law%u2022 Chronic absenteeism and its impact on students%u2022 Tips for choosing a school that is right for your childBy DAVID McGUIREAs a leader in education, I%u2019ve witnessed the impact of effective communication on a child%u2019s success. Parents, you hold the power to advocate for your children, but it all begins with knowing the right questions to ask. Here are six practical tips: three for communicating with teachers and three for administrators. To receive the right answers, you must ask the right questions. Talking to teachersTake the lead and ask about strengths: I have been part of my fair share of parent-teacher meetings. If you let the teacher lead the meeting, it will be challenging to regain control. Whether you schedule the meeting or they do, make sure you take the lead. Ask, %u201cWhat do you see as my child%u2019s strengths?%u201d This question ensures the meeting starts positively and helps the teacher recognize your child as the beautiful person you know and have raised them to be. A positive approach aids in aligning you and the teacher on what your child excels at before delving into areas for improvement.Push for specific strategies to improve: It does not matter if your child has straight A%u2019s, or they are struggling. You must ensure that when you ask your teacher what you can do, you push for specific strategies. I have seen parents ask the basic question of what we can do at home far too often. While that is a good question, it is not necessarily the right question to get the right answers. If your child is struggling, ask, %u201cWhat strategies are you using to help my child succeed that we can do at home?%u201d This demonstrates that you, as the teacher, value their efforts and create an opportunity to discuss any needed interventions or supports.Follow up on progressOnce you have heard your student%u2019s strengths and been given specific strategies, it is time to follow up on progress. First, you must ask, %u201cHow will we measure my child%u2019s progress?%u201d Then, you should ask, %u201cHow can I support their learning at home?%u201d This question emphasizes partnership and ensures you%u2019re on the same page about the next steps.As a parent, you want to get answers from the teachers, but you must also ask questions from the administrators. Talking to administratorsAsk questions about school resources: As a parent, you should know what resources the school offers. It does not matter if your child is performing well or struggling; you need to know what resources are available to support you and your student%u2019s educational journey. One of the best questions to ask is simple but very effective. The administrator should ask, %u201cWhat resources or programs are available to support my child?%u201d You want to listen for answers about resources in counseling, tutoring or special education services; knowing these allows you to advocate effectively for your child.Ask about the long-term plans: While this time in your child%u2019s life is essential, this is temporary and a very short and impactful time; you want to know how the school prepares your child for the future. Questions about the future and long-term plan should be asked of the administrators. A proper question could be, %u201cHow is the school helping my child meet their long-term goals?%u201d A question like that symbolizes that you want the support of the administrator and the school, not just to look out for the current success of your child but also for long-term success. Ask what you can do to help the school: This last question could be one of the most important you ask: %u201cWhat can I do to help out at the school?%u201d This question is music to the ears of school administrators. Trust me, as a school administrator, I love it when parents ask this question because I probably have 100 things you can do. For you as a parent, it is a good way to ensure that the school administrator knows you and your child. The right question equals the right answers, and the wrong question equals the wrong answers. It is that simple. Asking the right questions to get the right answers: Tips for parents to talk to teachers and administratorsGetty Images