Teachers on Call in the Toronto Star: What Ontario Report Cards Really Mean and How Parents Can Use Them for Summer Success

As the school year comes to a close, June final report cards are landing in backpacks and inboxes across Ontario. For many parents, they bring a mix of pride, curiosity, and concern along with one big question: Now what? Unlike earlier progress reports, these year-end assessments aren’t typically followed by a parent-teacher conference, leaving families to interpret the comments and marks on their own. To help decode these final report cards and guide parents on how to support summer learning, the Toronto Star turned to Joanne Sallay, President & CEO of Teachers on Call, for expert advice on this very topic. Read on for key takeaways from the article, along with additional expert tips from our in-person and online tutoring team to help families dig deeper into report card feedback and turn it into a meaningful roadmap for summer learning success.

Featured in the article “Decoding what your kid’s Ontario report card really means,” Joanne Sallay, President & CEO of Teachers on Call, shared practical tips to help parents better understand what teachers are communicating and how to use that information constructively. One of the most important sections to review is the learning skills and work habits area, which highlights behaviours such as organization and responsibility. These foundational skills support long-term academic success across all subjects. And if the final report card wasn’t what you hoped for, don’t be discouraged. With the right support and mindset, it can become a valuable tool for reflection, goal-setting, and planning next steps. Read on for further insights from our in-person and online tutoring service, Teachers on Call, to help turn report cards into meaningful action.

Expert Insights from Joanne Sallay, as Featured in the Toronto Star

Recently, our President & CEO Joanne Sallay was featured in a Toronto Star article on decoding report cards, where she shared valuable advice for parents trying to make sense of their children’s report cards.

Why Learning Skills and Work Habits Matter

While it may be tempting for parents to immediately zero in on letter grades when reviewing their child’s report card, it’s essential not to overlook the Learning Skills and Work Habits section typically found at the top. These areas, which include Responsibility, Independent Work, Initiative, Organization, Collaboration, and Self-Regulation, are just as critical as academic performance and often provide a deeper insight into how a student approaches their learning.

As Joanne Sallay, President & CEO of Teachers on Call, shared in a recent Toronto Star article, “When students struggle, it’s often not the curriculum — it’s motivation: It’s handing in work on time — organization, planning skills and how to study effectively. These are really important for the future of work — skills that as adults determine our success.”

These learning skills are directly tied to academic success in core subjects like math, science, and English, where students are expected to meet deadlines, work independently, collaborate on group projects, and manage their time effectively. Mastering these habits can enhance both academic achievement and personal confidence, laying the groundwork for future success in school, work, and life.

Use Report Card Feedback to Build a Strong Start for September

It is natural to feel discouraged if the final report card was not what you hoped for, but it is important to remember that it is not the end of the story. As Joanne Sallay, President and CEO of Teachers on Call, explains in the Toronto Star, “I know that it seems final, but a report card shouldn’t define your future success. Look at the recommendations and work on them; it doesn’t mean you need to give up. It’s the end of June, but next year is a whole new year.”

The summer offers a valuable window to reflect, reset, and act on the feedback provided. Many teachers include practical recommendations in the comment sections, offering a roadmap to help students strengthen skills and address areas for improvement. Whether it is brushing up on reading comprehension, building numeracy confidence, or improving study habits, taking even small steps over the summer can build momentum and self-esteem heading into the new school year. With the right support and a growth mindset, students can turn a challenging report card into a motivating learning experience, especially with the help of an in-home or online tutor to focus on personalized goals and academic coaching.

What Report Cards Really Tell You

As we explained in one of our most popular blogs, A Parent’s Guide to Deciphering Report Cards, this kind of educational jargon is common and can be confusing. The blog helps families decode common qualifiers and better understand the language teachers use to describe student achievement, work habits, and recommended next steps.

By learning how to interpret these terms, parents and caregivers can feel more confident in supporting their child’s academic journey and can use this information to create a meaningful learning plan for the summer with the support of an in-home or online tutor.

Using Report Cards to Plan Summer Learning

With insights from report cards in hand, summer is the perfect time to support your child’s learning in a relaxed and positive way. Here are some practical steps to consider:

• Review the report card together, celebrating strengths and setting small goals for areas needing improvement.
• Use games, apps, and hands-on activities to reinforce skills without making it feel like “work.”
• Encourage curiosity and exploration to foster a love of learning beyond grades.
• Consider in-home or online tutoring for targeted, one-on-one support where needed.
• Build strong routines around organization and study habits to ease the next school year.

Summer break is also a critical time to prevent the “summer slide” known as the loss of academic skills that can occur when students are away from school for months. To help your child stay on track, here are some expert-backed tips:

Tips for Preventing Summer Learning Loss

• Maintain a flexible daily routine that balances learning and play.
• Incorporate learning into everyday activities like cooking, shopping, or chores.
• Keep recreational reading a priority through books, comics, or library programs with material that feature material your child genuinely enjoys. As highlighted in Keeping Kids Engaged with Summer Reading from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, reading for pleasure helps build vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, while also supporting long-term academic success and fostering a lifelong love of learning.
• Use online educational games and resources for personalized practice.
• Set small, achievable learning goals and celebrate progress along the way.

For more practical advice, check out this helpful CTV News article on preventing learning loss, featuring insights from educators and child development specialists. Report cards are more than just a list of marks. They’re a valuable tool for guiding learning, growth, and confidence. By using them thoughtfully, parents can support their children’s academic journey year-round, especially during the summer months when there’s time to focus on skill-building and exploration. Remember, every student’s path is different, and progress looks different for everyone. The key is to approach report cards as a starting point for conversation and action.

As featured in the Toronto Star article by Senior Writer Janet Hurley, and supported by insights from our elementary and secondary tutors at Teachers on Call, it’s common for families to feel overwhelmed in June, wondering “now what?”—especially with school out for summer break and teachers no longer available. But report cards aren’t meant to signal the end. Instead of stressing, take the time to read the report card thoroughly and thoughtfully. Focus on the comments, learning skills, and suggested next steps, and use them as a roadmap for summer learning. With the right support and a clear plan, students can make meaningful progress and start the new school year stronger, more confident, and ready to succeed.