The goal is to encourage and facilitate positive parental involvement in the classroom. Educational research identifies four reasons for encouraging parental support:
- Students perform better
- Teacher morale improves
- Parents become empowered
- Communities grow stronger.
Start Up Calls
Spend the week before school starts calling each parent to introduce yourself, emphasize their importance from the start and open lines of communication. Invite them to a parent meeting and take this time to discuss scheduling a meeting when the most parents can attend.
Calling Web
Establish a phone tree in which each parent is responsible for calling two or three other parents to notify of special events or news. Arrange the tree so bilingual parents call those that don't speak English well. Designate a neighbor to inform those without phones.
Beginning of the Year Questionnaire
Send a questionnaire home to parents on the first day of school. Ask them these kind of questions:
- Tell me about your child. What are his or her interests?
- What do you think is important for your child learn this year?
- Is there anything you especially want me to know about your child?
- How would you like to be involved in your child's education this year?
Have box mounted outside of the classroom door for student or parent suggestions. Let it be known it is perfectly fine to make anonymous suggestions or to send them in envelopes with students.
Thursday Folder Notes
Send home a folder on Thursdays with student work on one side, school communication on the other side. Staple a sheet that is permanently included for handwritten comments and communication between parent and teacher.
Weekly News Letters
Send home a newsletter in Thursday folders. Try to incorporate the help of a bilingual parent or coworker if necessary. Use the newsletter to thank parents and acknowledge their contributions and inform them of any new developments.
Source: Debora McDonnell, Elementary School Teacher
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