Family and School Partnership
Research has proven that when parents/guardians actively engage in their children's education, students tend to excel.
But what exactly does "parent/guardian involvement" entail? We understand that families have varying degrees of availability: some can volunteer in classrooms or serve on committees, while others have limited opportunities due to their busy lives.
The good news is that being involved in your children's education starts right at home, and it's a wonderful place to begin.
Here are some friendly tips on how you can be involved at home:
- Encourage Reading: Foster a love for reading by either reading to your children or reading with them every day. Encourage independent reading and make regular visits to the library.
- Provide Resources: Ensure your children have access to appropriate reading and writing materials.
- Support Schoolwork: Take an active interest in your children's schoolwork and activities. Discuss what they are learning, go through papers they bring home, and help with or review their homework.
- Homework Routine: Establish a dedicated workspace for your children and set a specific time each day for homework.
- Communication: Keep the lines of communication open with your children's teachers. Reach out through notes, phone calls, or visits. Be aware of your children's strengths and weaknesses, and ask how you can support their potential.
- Educational Games: Play games that help your children practice reading and basic math skills.
- Explore Together: Visit places like parks, museums, zoos, colleges, local landmarks, and more with your children. These experiences broaden their understanding of the world around them.
- Make Learning Fun: Integrate learning into daily life. Have your children count money, write grocery lists, calculate costs, read menus, explore newspapers, or write letters using what they've learned in school.
- Daily Conversation: Talk to your children and listen to them every day. It's a simple yet powerful way to stay connected.
Besides home involvement, here are ways you can be involved with your child's school:
- Parent Organizations: Many opportunities exist to serve through parent organizations like PTA, PTO, or PAC. Attend meetings to get involved.
- School Functions: Attend special events such as back-to-school nights, open houses, parent/teacher conferences, concerts, and other school activities. Check your school's newsletter or contact the school office for event details.
- Parent Surveys: Take the time to respond to questionnaires sent by your principal. Your input is valuable and helps improve the school.
- Classroom Volunteering: Check with your child's teacher to see how you can volunteer in the classroom. If you'd like to visit, notify the principal to make arrangements.
If you need more information or want to discuss your child's progress, don't hesitate to reach out to the school office, principal, or your child's teacher. Your involvement matters, and together, we can support your child's educational journey!
Stay in the loop with our free messaging app ParentSquare from Google Play or the Apple App Store.