What parents can do to be more involved at school
Parents can make every effort to encourage children to make the most of the school experience , including academics and extracurricular activities . Though students ’ level of engagement is ultimately up to them , parental involvement at school can be crucial for students ’ success .
According to the National Education Council , when parents get involved in their children ’ s education , those children are more likely to do better in school and be more positive about the school experience . They also may be well-behaved . Parents wondering what they can do to assist at the school level can consider these possibilities . Attend school board meetings Many community school boards are comprised entirely of volunteers who work with superintendents and other personnel to advocate for policies and procedures for students . Decisions typically are up for vote , and parents can run for school board positions or simply attend meetings each month and let their voices be heard about various issues .
Attend open houses and conferences Parents can make every effort to get to know teachers and other staff . Putting faces to names can help parents develop a connection to teachers and vice versa . Most schools have back to school nights , meet the coaches opportunities , open houses , and parent-teacher conferences . Parents can take part in these events .
Open lines of communication
Parents can ask teachers and other staff how they prefer to communicate . Some teachers want students to take the lead and reach out first , with parents providing support if need be . Adults can be responsive when teachers reach out .
Attend school events
Families can make it a point to support students in all endeavors . Whenever the opportunity to visit the school comes up — whether for a concert , sports game , trivia night , or fundraiser — parents can make an effort to attend .
Volunteer
When parents want to be involved even further , they can head committees at school or volunteer with the PTA or PTO . They also can help out in the cafeteria , library or in the main office . Parents who have particular skills may volunteer to provide tutoring or mentoring as needed . Furthermore , parents can volunteer in school-sanctioned extracurriculars , such as Scouts BSA or as sports coaches .
Involvement in school is part of being an informed and supportive parent .
40 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky august 2023