Parents Matter!

We are nearing the end of the school year, but it is never too late for parents to get involved. When parents and schools work together, the results can be incred­ible, including better grades, attitudes and behavior.

The following article was obtained from Colorin Colorado which is a web-based service that provides information, activities and advice for educators and Spanish-speaking families of English language learners (ELLs).

Parent Participation: How to Get Involved in Your Child's School Activities

"In today’s busy world, however, the idea of parent involvement can be overwhelming. “What do I have to do?” you may wonder. “I’m already short on time!” Don’t worry. Involvement doesn’t need to be complicated or time consuming. Even though the end of the school year is right around the corner, it isn’t too late to get involved. Starting right now, you can:

• Attend events. Put key gatherings on your calendar as soon as pos­sible. Your child might sing in a school musical, for instance, or play on a school team. While at school, make an effort to connect with staff and other families.
• Read materials. Pay attention to school information sent home and posted online. Request it in another language if needed. Keep track of important dates, such as end-of-year celebrations and tests.
• Join the parent-teacher group. If you can’t make it to meetings, read the minutes from each meeting.
• Volunteer. Classrooms have a variety of needs. Ask your child’s teacher if there is anything you can do to help out. Perhaps you could prepare items for a craft, organize a class party, read to stu­dents or help in another way that fits your schedule.
• Ask questions. “How can I help my child succeed?” “Should I correct homework mistakes with him?” “What are the most important school tasks for us to accomplish each day at home?”

Source: Colorin Colorado (2008), “Parent Participation: How to Get Involved in Your Child’s School Activities,” www.colorincolorado.org/article/26541.