What’s going on at school?

I have no experience in this at all (so take this for what it’s worth), but it sounds like you’re doing the right things: having regular conversations with the teachers, volunteering when possible, keeping the lines of communication open with your daughter . . . I’d only add in making friends with some of the other parents too. I would imagine the most important piece is making sure your daughter feels safe talking to you about whatever happens at school. Good luck!
.-= Dionna @ Code Name: Mama´s last blog ..How We Came to Unschooling =-.

I do a couple of different things.
Firstly, our school has “observation rooms” where you can observe classroom activity at any time, without the children or teacher seeing – so I make regular observations; just to see how my kids are interacting with other students, watch how the teacher is interacting with my kids & other children, and generally get the feel of the classroom. I do this several times in a semester with each of my children.
Next, I make sure to make myself availalable to my childrens’ teachers by making sure they have my cell phone, work phone, email address. I have signed up on their volunteer lists, talk with their teachers at pick-up time and bring things for the classroom regularly – snacks, crafts, etc. I also make it a point to be present at after-school events, and to know the office staff. I make sure I’m a parent that *can* be talked to, so that if there ever is a need, I’m not a stranger, know what I mean?
Finally, I talk with my kids every day about school. How they feel about their teachers, students, what activities they did, who their friends are, etc. Our school has photos posted each week of classroom activities – so I use that as a springboard for launching into conversations with my children (because often “how was school?” just gets a “great!”) – I try to remember to ask open ended questions. 🙂
Anyhow, I think a teacher would appreciate an actively involved parent – one who is communicative when things are going well & normally, so that if there ever IS an issue, there’s no hesitancy whatsoever to contact you or for you to contact them.
.-= kblogger´s last blog ..Breastfeeding Support and Normalcy =-.

Schools teach and cater to the average student. If your daughter is not an average student at her school (if she is significantly more intelligent, less intelligent, has unique learning disabilities/opportunities, etc.) then the school may not be a good fit for her. Growing up, I was bored through most of my schooling; 3rd grade I was in a split class and basically took 4th grade. Then for 4th and 5th grade, myself and the other “bright” kids did advanced work in the hall, while the teacher taught the other kids. Middle school and high school were not much better. I got good grades, but am surprised I was not kicked out for mischief.

My sister and many of my cousins are teachers in public schools (I am now a biochemist so the poor school environment didn’t turn me off education), and have voiced their concerns about these situations. Unfortunately, a teacher cannot gear a class towards an exceptional child. The American school system is meant to provide an average education to the next generation, which means teaching to the average.

When your daughter gets older, if she is not challenged, I would suggest providing supplemental education – either through you or tutors. Education is only fulfilled in it’s most basic sense at school, parents are responsible if they want anything more.

I would make an appt with her teacher,or principal, explain your desire to keep abreast of what’s going on and ask them if they have a preferred method of communication if you have any questions or concerns as they arise in the future. This is what I have done with my daughter’s teacher. I would encourage you to build a relationship of some sort with your child’s teacher, so they can get to know you as well. The better they know you the more likely they will feel comfortable talking to you about things too. Good luck!
.-= Melodie´s last blog ..How Can I Avoid Beauty Obsession? =-.

I think just being as involved (as a volunteer — there are always tons of opportunities to volunteer at a school!) will be your best bet. Of course, lots of pressure-free conversations about what’s going on at school will help too. My kids were in public school last year before I decided to take them out and unschool them.
.-= Cream of Mommy Soup´s last blog ..Dear Lovey Hart, I am Desperate =-.

As someone who also has limited schooling choices (in the future) I’m so interested to see what kind of responses you get!

It sounds like you are doing all the right things. A good way to make sure that you get off to a good start with the teachers – is to tell them that if you do cross-over into parent-from-hell territory they can let you know ;o) Although the teachers that I know are always really appreciative of parents who take an active role.
.-= Zoey @ Good Goog´s last blog ..The Real Toddler =-.

My kid’s on the younger side of yours, so I don’t know how much help I’ll be but I’ll try. Could you suggest that the teacher send out an email or printed newsletter occasionally with updates? I enjoy regular communication like that from my son’s preschool. Does the teacher do daily or weekly status updates for each student or would s/he be willing to?
.-= Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s last blog ..April Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting advice =-.

I work with kids with special needs and one thing that most of the schools do for these kids is keep a communication book. They record things in them that the child did each day including photos etc. Obviously that’s going to be hard in a class on 20 kids with only 1 teacher as opposed to a class of 6 and a teacher plus an aid but they could still keep a moddified version.

Also regularly dropping into the school, coming to the classroom, getting involved with the school etc.
.-= keepingmumsane @ what I don’t say´s last blog ..A question of sleep and sanity =-.