Here are some tips for enhancing parent involvement at your school:
* Organize or enhance a Parent Association. The first tasks should be to address any lack of involvement in the school's decision making process. If you already have one, make sure they develop a program that includes workshops for parents related to student achievement, child development, parenting, and other subjects that are of interest to parents.
* Establish a parent resource center to provide a suitable place for parents when they come to the schools. This center can be stocked with resources that support parents' informational needs.
* If funding permits, the school should hire a parent coordinator that can be trained in federal, state and city regulations regarding parent involvement.
* Ensure that parents receive regular communications regarding methods used to improve school climate, and an annual survey should be administered to assess parent and community needs and interests.
* Make sure that parents are aware of Title I funds that are designated for parent involvement activities, and these funds should be used to support the school's parent involvement efforts.
* Utilize programs such as EPIC (Every Person Influences Children) for parenting education workshops.
* GO BEYOND Bake sales. Make sure parent involvement activities focus on fostering student achievement. This can be done by inserting a home learning component into school activities that regularly attract large numbers of parents, especially events that have a multicultural orientation.
HAPPY PARENT INVOLVEMENT DAY!
