Dr. Maureen Marshall
Principal

Dear Families-

Later this month report cards will go home for students in grades 1-6.  We have made a special effort this year to increase our communication with families so that you get a snapshot of what your child is doing a couple of times every quarter.  We believe that report cards should bring no surprises to families.

In talking to your children about their report cards, here are some points to keep in mind:
Look at the report card with an open mind. Listen thoughtfully to what your child thinks of the report and how accurately he/she believes it captures what has happened in school. If you have questions or need clarification please contact the teacher by writing a note, sending an email, or making a phone call. Our teachers are happy to answer any questions and welcome the opportunity to talk about your child.

Focus on improvement and progress. Celebrate successes, particularly in areas where your child's put in extra effort—whether it's study habits, punctuality, teamwork, or concentration. Discover and discuss areas where your child feels he /she has improved. Encourage him/her to keep up the good work. Share your observations. Find out what your child feels he/she can do even more effectively in the future. Discuss some goals your child might set in academic areas.  Be sure to set realistic expectations such as, “Next time let’s see how many grades you can bring up.” Setting goals such as, “You should only have A’s,” can easily frustrate even the best student when they fall short by even one grade.

Remind your child that everyone has strengths and challenges. You and your child need to remember that a report card is not an indication of your child's worth as a human being. Rather, it's an assessment of your child's progress, performance, and achievement in specific areas for one time period. Help your child understand that people keep learning, changing, and developing through school and life!

I am always here if you have questions or comments at memarshall1@fcps.edu.  We hope to see you at our Annual Harvest Luncheon on Wednesday, November 11th and Math Night on Thursday, November 12th.             

Dr. Marshall