Finley Elementary School
213504 E. Cougar Rd.
Kennewick, WA 99337
Office: 509.586.7577
Fax: 509.586.8239

Principal: Pam Kinne
Secretaries: Hidalia Garcia & Diane Nessen

Principal's Message

How goes the progress?

Progress reports and attendance letters just went home and we have also hit the middle of the school year; only about 90 days left until summer vacation.

The progress reports and attendance reports are given so you have an idea as to how things are progressing for your child during class.  It’s easy when the progress report comes out favorably but what if the information doesn’t look so good.  What can a parent do?

The first thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your child’s teacher.  You don’t have to wait until conferences to meet with them.  Find out exactly what is going on in class and specifically what the problems are.  It may range from not turning in homework to struggling with concepts.   If your child is struggling with the learning, you can ask the teacher for some advice on what you can do at home to help.  There are also a number of free websites that have great practice opportunities.  You can ask your child’s teacher about those as well as look them up on the elementary website under “Learning Links”.

If your child has an effort problem, implement some consequences for poor grades and rewards for improvements.  Our teachers will do what they can during the hours that your child is here, but ultimately, it is the responsibility of the child.  Since the kids here are young and don’t necessarily understand that responsibility, it falls on the parents to teach them that responsibility.

If your child brought home an attendance letter that means there has been at least 8 marking periods in which your child has been absent or tardy.  New concepts are learned every day.  Being present in class is crucial.  Obviously, if your child has a fever, vomiting, rash, etc. they need to stay home.  But what about the other times which are questionable?  Ask yourself the following questions: Will the symptoms prevent them from participating in normal school activities? Will the symptoms pose a risk to other students or adults?

I’ve said this before; your child’s success depends on the effort put out by child, parent, and school.  If we work together your child be the benefactor.

Thank you for your time,

Pam Kinne