Wednesday+-+Parent+&+Community

​ Parent & Community Involvement - Wednesday


 * Parent **** and Community Involvement  **
 * T **** h **** e **** P A C T e a m  **
 * Catherine Harper **
 * Cicely Minter **
 * Jodi Chamberlain **
 * Lauren Evans **
 * Marni Steinhardt **



** Helping you to get your parents and community involved in your classroom! **

Educational research shows that there is an increased need for more parental involvement in schools. When parents are involved in a child’s school and education, children have higher grades and standardized test scores, improved behavior at home and school, and better social skills and adaptation to school. The best way to become involved in your child’s education is to provide an at-home learning environment that is a support system for your child. However, contrary to popular belief, there needs to be more. Other ways to be involved are communicating with the classroom teacher, discussing school activities with your child, chaperoning field trips, participating in virtual field trips in the classroom, reading books to small groups, volunteering and supporting school sponsored events, and many more. Research also shows that teachers tend to give kids more attention when they know their parents are more likely to be involved in their child’s academic achievement in the school. Parents can do this by volunteering to participate in classroom activities and school events. There is research that shows that parents of all socioeconomic levels have the same opportunities when it comes to getting involved. There is no better and inexpensive way to boost your child’s academic performance than to be an involved parent. Making your child’s school life a part of your life is essential to academic achievement! Lastly, not only can you improve your own child’s self-esteem by getting involved, you can also help to improve teacher morale! When teachers feel connected to the parents and the community, they feel more invested in their students’ academic performance. They also tend to be happier and more enthusiastic about their work.
 * Make it a WAY of life! **

[|Model for Parent Involvement]

[|Scholastic] Great website to get all kinds of ideas for how to get parents involved in your classroom!

Parents / Grandparents can talk about their experiences in certain events in History during the time those events are being studies in Social Studies/Science. ** Einstein’s Math group ** – Parents can lead a fun challenge math group during lunch. ** Kids Book Club ** – Parents can lead a book chat group during lunch. Parents can tutor students either one-on-one or in small groups. Have parents volunteer to chaperone field trips off campus. If you have too many volunteers, have a drawing to pick your chaperones. For on campus and virtual field trips, you can have parents come in and assist with any activities. ** Assisted Living – ** class can take a fieldtrip to an assisted living location and visit/read to the elderly. ** Charity – ** Students can lead the school in a clothes, food or book drive for those in need in the community ** School-to-School ** – Students can become pen-pals with students at another school. ** Do you know the difference between PTA & PTO? ** The difference lies in the governing body – PTA is part of a national organization, PTO is run by an internal body within the school. All too often, we wonder what our kids are doing in school; these academic newsletters and calendars help to inform parents of what we are doing in the classroom and helps them to continue to reinforce the learning at home! Journals help us to track progress in our students, but they can also help you to get your parents involved in a child’s writing. What a great way to show your students all of the different jobs they may be able to do when they grow up! Organize field trip transportation, grade parent dinners, classroom volunteers, etc.
 * Social Studies **
 * Math **
 * Parent Read-Alouds **
 * Tutoring **
 * Field Trips (off school premises, virtual) **
 * Community Service Projects **
 * Elderly Visit the School – ** Invite elderly to the school and classroom. Interview and discuss their lives and historical experiences.
 * PTA/PTO **
 * Newsletters/Calendars **
 * Journals/ ** ** Interviews **
 * Career Day **
 * Room Parents **

“One way for schools to reach out into the community might involve starting conversations and planning activities with churches, temples, mosques, local ethnic groups, and community-based organizations. Schools can gain additional resources and a better understanding of their students' backgrounds by reaching out to their community organizations. Parents in these organizations may feel alienated from traditional educators, and they may welcome the schools' outreach efforts. Ultimately, when educators, community groups, and parents present a united front, they can become a powerful force for school reform.” ([|www.thirteen.org]) The most important aspect of getting your community involved in your school is the value it has on students. When children feel valued, they are more likely to learn healthy skills, remain enrolled in school, and avoid high-risk behaviors. When schools present a “negative” social climate, students are less likely to understand what it means to be a productive citizen later in life. When schools have great relationships within the community, the community is more likely to give more back, as well. Districts and clusters that have great community partnerships are more apt to offer after-school programs and school-to-work programs later in their academic careers. Here’s some information on how to get your community involved in the curriculum month by month! School Lunches month **Cafeteria worker** Tie w/food pyramid Fire Safety month **Fireman, firewoman**
 * We’re All in this Together! **
 * __ September __**
 * __ October __**

Dental Health month **Dental hygienist**
 * __ November __**

** Baker ** Tie w/seasonal foods, terms, etc. Local mayor-head of the community; even the student council president Tie w/’Never talk to strangers’, ‘Say NO to drugs’ etc; parents follow rules also: stop signs, speed limits, etc.  ** Veterinarian  ** Tie w/Dr. Seuss: //The Cat in the// //Hat// and //Clifford the Big Red Dog//; Fiction/nonfiction; care of real animals Environmental awareness month Earth Day: April 22 **Nursery worker/owner ** Tie w/living & nonliving things
 * __ December __**
 * __ January __**
 * Elected official [[image:school_election.jpg]] **
 * __ February __**
 * Policeman/policewoman [[image:police.jpg]] **
 * __ March __**
 * __ April __**

** Life guard ** Tie w/water safety; upcoming summer vacation: pools, the beach, etc. [] ~ Educational Research on the value of having parents who are involved in your classroom! [] ~ I nformation about the value of having involved parents and links to other websites. [] ~ Ideas and links to other websites [] ~ Story Letters to get parents involved in their child’s writing [] ~ Information on how to get your community involved [] ~ Great brochure to help you get started
 * __ May __**
 * Resources **