E.T. Phone Home

Today I made my first phone call home.

.................Da Da Daaaaaaaa !

I was nervous while dialing those numbers and crossing my fingers that I got the answering machine. I had an irrational fear that the parents would ridicule me and defend their child.

The first phone call went to voice mail, I stated who I was and said something positive about the student. Then I explained the new procedure of calling every parent who's child is sent to time out. I said why I sent her little darling to time out and that I know we can correct this behavior. Then reminded the parent to sign the behavioral notice I sent home. I think it went well but then I was wishing I could have talked to the parent instead of leaving a voice mail.

The 2nd phone call the parent answered and I danced around the real reason which is the attitude her daughter is giving me instead I showed some tact and said that "she is being disrespectful to me and Ms. C" . I stated that she is a good student and recalled the A she got on the science quiz. The parent was very understanding and said that her daughter has had this problem before in 4th grade and that to please call her when ever about this. Then I ended on a positive note and said that "she is very smart I know she can follow directions lets nip this in the bud."

I don't want to get in the habit of calling home only when there is a problem so I also made a good phone call home to our best behaved and very bright student Dwayne. I told the parent that this was a good phone call home and that I wanted them to know what a gentlemen their son was and what a pleasure it is to have him in our class. I also gave them the good news of his math test that he had the highest score. (He scored higher than the 4 gifted students).

After making the calls I felt empowered and sure that I had made an impact. I'll find out tomorrow.