Families are our most important resource at Frederick J. Gaenslen School. Students perform better and enjoy school more when parents and guardians are involved.

Families are encouraged to set a time with teachers to visit their child’s classroom and discuss their child’s progress. Teachers send progress reports to parents and guardians and hold conferences to share each student’s progress. Teachers and staff are ready to help our families with extra meetings or reports.

Join your child at school events and activities. We love getting to know our Gaenslen families!

Supporting Your Student

Family involvement leads to better grades, better attendance, improved test scores, higher self-esteem, and better behavior for children. To help your child succeed at Gaenslen School, try following these tips at home!

• Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day (7:25 a.m.).
• Call the Gaenslen School attendance line when your child will be absent, at (414) 267-5700. We must be sure every student has arrived safely and follow up with any who are absent. We must also record absences correctly.
• Ensure that your child gets at least nine hours of sleep every night.
• Dress your child appropriately for the weather. Please tell us if your student needs a coat or other outerwear.
• Check your child’s bookbag every day for homework or important messages.
• Help your child with homework. At home, have a quiet time and place for homework.
• Read with your child every day.
• Volunteer in the classroom.
• Ask how you can join our field trips.
• Attend the School Engagement Council (SEC) monthly meetings.

Helping with Homework

At home, be sure to provide a quiet time and place for your child to do homework. At home, your child also has access to the same online programs they use in class. Have your student log in through Clever to find learning programs like Smarty Ants, My Path, Discovery Education, Flocabulary, and others.

Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher

Stay in touch with your child’s teacher and stay up to date on their academic goals and accomplishments. Students feel extra motivated when they see teachers and parents working as a team to reinforce high academic expectations and positive learning strategies. Here are some tips for building a strong parent-teacher relationship to support your child.

• Collect current school/teacher contact information at the beginning of each school year. You can gather this information from teacher handouts, during open-house events or visit our staff directory.
• Attend parent-teacher conferences in person or virtually. Students are proud to “show off” their school and feel supported when teachers and caregivers make time to meet at a conference or school event.
• If a scheduled conference time does not work for you, contact the teacher to choose a different time. Or, schedule a virtual appointment or phone call with the teacher and ask if your child should attend.
• Send your child to school with a bookbag every day and check the bookbag after school. Lots of important paperwork travels from school to your home – and back again – in your child’s bookbag: assignments, permission slips, classroom updates and school calendars.
• Volunteer for a field trip or family event at school. Gaenslen School needs volunteers during and after school. Ask a teacher or school staff member how you can get involved in a way that fits your schedule.

Learn more about volunteering with MPS.