Parent Involvement at School

Students are more successful when they receive support from home and school. Encourage student achievement with active communication.

Students who have support from both home and school are more likely to reach their potential. For this reason, teachers should encourage parental involvement in all aspects of learning. Positive communication througout the school year will invite parents to take an active involvement in their child's education.

• Write notes: Parents should not have to wait for report card time to hear from you. A personal note home shows that you care about a child's learning. Be sure to include positive student information as well as noting areas of concern.
• Email: Emails are a great way to keep parents informed. Use this tool to inform parents of upcoming due dates, holidays, fieldtrips, conferences and classroom activities.
• Class Newspaper or Website: Keep parents interested in student activities with a newspaper or website that highlights from theme units and fieldtrips as well as examples of student writing, poetry, and achievements. Find a way to include every student in these projects.
• Conferences: Meet with parents to discuss student achievement. Don't wait for report card time to address concerns or praise achievement.
• Invite parents to Volunteer: Many parents will be happy to help. Ask parents to assist struggling students, lead small group discussions, create bulletin boards, provide food or assistance with theme days or class parties, or just visit the classroom.
• Parent Classroom Committees: Encourage parental input on everything from fieldtrips to completing course objectives. What would parents like to have happen in the classroom?
• Develop Workshops: Work with other teachers and administrators to create parent workshops on everything from discipline to learning styles.

When teachers and parents work together, there is no end to what students can achieve!