The old proverb that begins, “It takes a village” is especially true when it comes to parent involvement. Often, some of the things that make a school program a success—providing transportation, a meal, or a special guest speaker—involve resources that just aren’t in the budget. But the family involvement coordinator can play a vital role[…]
The arrival of summer is always exciting for students and staff. But how should students spend their vacations? Could summer plans significantly affect future learning? Yes, say researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. And parent involvement is part of the equation. In “Lasting Consequences of the Summer Learning Gap,” an article in American[…]
It’s not too soon to prepare for fall parent involvement! Inform parents now about fall events, such as back-to-school nights or open houses. If possible, specify dates, times and whether or not children are invited. Give families as much time as possible for planning. Meanwhile, be prepared to address concerns about involvement before these key[…]
You know the adage about a picture being worth a thousand words. Pictures are also invaluable in learning more about the families and cultures of your students. To promote two-way communication between home and school, create an assignment for students to draw or take pictures of things that are important to them in their home[…]
What’s a sure-fire way to improve academic achievement? Research says: Increase student attendance! Take time this summer to get parents involved in evaluating and updating your attendance policy. To get started, recruit a team of parents and staff and invite them to meet for discussions about attendance. (You may also consider having students serve on[…]
Families often associate summer learning with students’ need to make up for academic failures. Ideally, however, summer is a time to maintain skills and even get ahead. Parent involvement is critical to making this happen. As soon as possible, get the word out about summer programs that promote success in high school and beyond. For[…]
Parent surveys are valuable tools for assessing everything from interest in volunteering to support for school policies. They can be administered in person (such as in a focus group) or in writing (via handouts, mailings or email). The most effective surveys are brief and specific, but be sure to also include room for open-ended responses[…]
Learning gardens are experiencing a surge in popularity in schools. It makes sense—they’re a great way for kids to learn, and they don’t need to take up much space (Some schools even dedicate a corner of the cafeteria to a “garden” in a window box!) Studies have shown that school learning gardens significantly increase[…]
We know that students who eat right and exercise are not only healthier—they are also more fit for learning! So why not engage families in a food and fitness challenge? Suggest kids challenge their parents to see who can live the healthiest lifestyle for a week. The family member who eats the healthiest breakfasts and[…]