Communication

To promote student success and help our students develop socially and emotionally, it is important for students, teachers and parents to communicate throughout the school year.  Both formal and informal means of communicating are encouraged at Helen Keller Middle School.

Open House 
This evening program, which usually occurs early in the school year, is designed to familiarize parents with curricular goals at each grade level and expectations for student performance.

PTA Keller Cool News 
This weekly publication will highlight specific team and school events, interdisciplinary projects, student and teacher accomplishments, and important school news.  The Keller Cool News is posted each week on our school homepage.

Progress Reports and Report Cards
These are distributed once per quarter.  Please refer to the "Reporting Student Progress" section in this handbook for more detailed information.

Team Coffees  
Scheduled several times per school year,  these gatherings are designed to keep parents informed about team/grade level events and serve as an informal way for parents and teachers to just talk to each other.

School Publications  
The Parent-Student Handbook, the Extra-Curricular Activities Booklet, and the Program of Studies are sources of information, which may be obtained in the school office.

Personal Phone Contact  
Teachers will initiate personal communications via the telephone when they are concerned about any aspect of a student's performance.  A parent, teacher, student conference or team-parent and/or student conference may be arranged when warranted.

Extra-help Sessions
Teachers will encourage students to participate in before or after school tutorial sessions as needed.

Helen Keller Home Page  (http://www.er9.org/hkms) 
Our homepage contains up-to-date information on class projects, school news and upcoming events.  The site directory is the key to locating any and all information about our school.

Students are encouraged to advocate for themselves and communicate with their teachers and parents.

• Discuss school successes and challenges with parents openly and honestly.
  

• Request assistance in a subject area, when needed, directly from the teacher.  When you encounter social difficulties, seek assistance from the guidance counselor. 
  

• Keep scheduled appointments with the teacher/guidance counselor.
  

• Request a conference with the teacher to discuss academic progress.
  

Parents are encouraged to communicate with their children, their teachers and school officials.

• Discuss feelings about school and progress in school with your child on a regular basis.  Support and encourage your child to learn to the best of his/her ability. 
  

• Promote the development of personal responsibility by setting clear expectations for homework completion and school behavior.
  

• Support the rules of the school and expectations for student performance and behavior set by teachers.
  

• Sign all letters, interim reports and other communications requiring your signature and have your child return them to school within the allotted time.
  

• Attend school-sponsored meetings, support the PTA, get involved in creating positive change for our school.
  

• If concerns arise, discuss them directly with your child's teacher(s) or the guidance counselor.
  

• In communicating with your child or his/her teachers, model a positive attitude about school; one that reflects a home and a school working together to benefit our students.
  

• Communicate directly with the principal if issues are not satisfactorily resolved in direct communication with teachers or the guidance counselor.