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[…]
Schools that have effective programs for preventing students from using drugs succeed because they have the help of parents. But to get parents’ help, schools—and the agencies they work with to create a safe and drug-free program—must provide parents with encouragement and strategies for influencing their children. Foremost, parents need advice in two areas: how[…]
Why do some teachers get along well with parents … and others don’t? Research points to several personal attributes that have a positive influence on teachers’ relationships with both parents and students: warmth, openness, sensitivity, flexibility, reliability and accessibility. Parents say that these teacher characteristics are also desirable: trust, closeness, positive self-image, effective classroom management,[…]
There is no single profile of a hard-to-reach parent. One might be a recent immigrant struggling to manage language barriers and transportation issues. Another might be a single mom who has difficulty arranging for child care. Yet another might be a busy professional whose long hours and hectic schedule leave little time for anything else.[…]
Parent volunteers have helped you all year long. Now it’s time to express your appreciation. Here are some inexpensive gift ideas and suggestions for an accompanying thank-you note: A key-chain flashlight. “You helped our students shine!” A picture magnet. Put a thank-you note where the photo is usually placed. A measuring spoon set. “You helped[…]
Parents of adolescents are more likely to be divorced, single or remarried than are parents of elementary school children, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Middle schools and high schools need to pay special attention to meeting the needs of single parents, and also to keeping both parents informed about their children’s education. Activities[…]
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[…]