Setting goals with your child isn’t just about improving grades, it’s about building lifelong skills and strengthening your relationship. When families take time to reflect and plan together, children feel supported, motivated, and empowered.

Here’s why goal setting is so valuable:

It Builds Self-Awareness

When children reflect on what they’re doing well and where they want to grow, they begin to understand their strengths, challenges, and learning habits. This helps them become more confident and independent learners.

It Encourages Ownership

Students are more likely to stay motivated when they help set their own goals. Whether it’s improving a math grade or reading more books, having a clear target gives them something to work toward and a reason to celebrate when they succeed.

It Promotes Planning and Time Management

Setting goals teaches children how to break big tasks into smaller steps. They learn how to manage their time, track progress, and adjust when things don’t go as planned, skills that will serve them well in school and beyond.

It Strengthens Family Communication

Goal setting opens the door for meaningful conversations. It gives families a chance to talk about school, celebrate effort, and work together to overcome challenges. It also shows children that their education is a shared priority.

It Builds Resilience

Not every goal will be easy to reach, and that’s okay. When children face setbacks, they learn how to problem-solve, ask for help, and keep trying. These experiences build grit and perseverance.

To make goal setting easier, we’ve created grade-level planning tools and a Report Card Review Form to guide your conversations. These resources help you and your child reflect, set goals, and create a plan for success together.

Grade Level Goal Planning:

• Elementary: My Learning Goals
• Middle School: Academic + Future Goals
• High School: College + Career Planning

Use our Parent-Student Report Card Review to: 

• Celebrate strengths 
• Identify areas for growth 
• Set a goal for the next grading period 
• Plan how both the student and the parent will support the goal 
• Schedule a check-in to monitor progress

Strong family-teacher communication builds trust and helps students thrive. Here are some proven strategies to help you stay connected and collaborate effectively:

Strategies for Effective Communication

• Review Regular Communication Channels
  A teacher may use multiple ways to stay in touch, like a weekly newsletter, ParentSquare posts, or scheduled check-ins. Please make sure to check your email or download the ParentSquare app. 

• Encourage Two-Way Dialogue
  Share insights about your child’s learning habits and ask questions during meetings.

• Celebrate Successes
  Don’t wait for problems; ask teachers to share positive feedback and celebrate your child’s growth.

• Be Culturally Aware
  If English isn’t your first language, ask about translation services or bilingual materials. Also, make sure your ParentSquare account is translating into your home language. Need help? Please ask your school to set the language for you.

• Create Action Plans Together
  After meetings, agree on clear steps to support your child’s learning at home and school.

Helping your child with homework doesn’t mean doing it for them. It means guiding them to become independent learners. Here are some practical tips:

Stay Nearby, Not Hovering
Instead of sitting beside your child, stay available by doing chores nearby. This sends the message that you believe in their ability to work independently.

Ask, Don’t Tell
Use open-ended questions like, “What’s your plan for solving this?” or “Can you explain your thinking?” to encourage problem-solving.

Set a Routine
Establish a consistent homework time and space. Let your child recharge after school, but make homework time non-negotiable.

Teach Time Management
Use a printed calendar to break tasks into smaller goals. Help your child plan ahead for tests and projects.

Let Them Lead Projects
Support creativity and ownership by letting your child take the lead on school projects. Offer feedback, not perfection.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1st and is the gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. It’s also required for many state and institutional aid programs.

Start Here:

Federal Student Aid Resource Center – Includes videos, checklists, and guides for families

Arizona-Specific Help:

 Arizona Board of Regents FAFSA Support – Offers free virtual assistance and info on the Arizona Promise Program

Tips for Parents:
 FAFSA for Parents Guide – Step-by-step help for completing the form

Looking for scholarships? 

• Contact your school counselor to learn about college visits and scholarships that meet your needs.
• The Pima County Public Library offers numerous links to scholarships, which can be found here.