Helping Children To Do Their Best Work

At our last meeting of ISM team leaders we discussed non-academic reasons that prevent children from doing their best work in school. Being in school on time is very important to a child's success. In the primary and intermediate grades the first 15-20 minutes of school are used to get students settled and organized for the day. During this time children turn in homework and projects, and teachers ask individual children specific questions that are directed to meeting the needs of each child.

In the middle school grades, attendance is taken and then students are in their first period class, learning within the first five minutes of the school day. Primary, intermediate or middle school students who regularly arrive late do not receive the same quality education as do the students who are in class on time everyday. Children cannot do their best work if they are always trying to catch-up. Their teachers cannot provide the best for your children if they are always trying to help them catch up. Please make every effort to get your children to school on time.

Following the ISM Uniform Policy is also important to a child's success. When ISM was Founded, the decision to initiate a uniform policy was made to help students focus on their learning. By having students wear uniforms peer pressure is lessened and children gain a sense of belonging to the school. At our team meeting it was decided that instead of sending a student who is out of uniform to the office, the teacher will have the student call home from the classroom. If parents cannot bring appropriate uniform attire to the school, the child will then be sent to the office to find appropriate uniform attire. I will then contact parents to request that an extra uniform be kept in school. If you have any questions please call me at 583-2169.


Eric Pearlstein
Associate Director
(831) 583-2169
epearlstein@ismonterey.org