Parent/Student Swap Day By: Steffanie Dunbar

Parent/Student Swap Day Overview Area of Concern Needs Assessment Projects - Action Plan Evaluation Competency Addressed Fostering parental involvement and participation in their student's school lives. Teachers expressed the need for involving parents in their student's daily school routines and giving them resources to better aide them at home. Plan a parent and student swap day where parents switch places with their students and engage in lessons, activities, and other things teachers have planned. The day is set-up to give parents a snap shot of their student's daily school life and extend resources to aide them at home. Survey of teachers given a few days after swap day reported that teachers and parents enjoyed staff day and gained meaningful insights into their student's daily school lives and teachers were able to make connections with parents. C 001 C 002 C 005 C 007

Purpose The purpose of parent/student swap day is for parents to get a snapshot of what their students do on a daily basis while at school. They completely switch places with their students and attend their classes, complete their assignments, participate in activities, and many more things. The hope behind this event is to help foster parental involvement not only at school, but in the home as well. When parents are given a glimpse as to what their student does, they are more capable of helping them while at home when a teacher or other students are not present.

Planning A date was set for the event and flyers were posted around campus, sent home with students, and announced via the daily announcements, the school’s webpage, the school’s e-news letter, and the marquee. Parents were treated to a light breakfast after they signed-in and given directions for the day. Their students helped to fill out their schedules and mapped their day on the school map. The schedule was adjusted so that parents could attend each of their student’s classes, but for a shorter time period in order to get a quick snapshot of each class. Teachers were asked to continue along with their lesson plans and ensure that their activities were engaging for the parents. Parents were invited to eat lunch with their student at the end of the swap day schedule if desired.

2ND ANNUAL SWAP DAY! Attention Parents & Guardians: Please join us for our 2nd Annual Swap Day on Wednesday, November 5, 2014! If you have ever wondered what your student really does on a daily basis, this will give you the inside look at their school day as you will trade places with them. You will attend their classes, engage in their teacher’s lectures, and complete their classwork! Your student will be able to enjoy games and movies in the gym if you trade places with them! Who: Parents & Guardians When: November 5, 2014 Where: Harby Junior High Start Time: 8:00 (check-in and light breakfast) End Time: 11:25 (you can stay for lunch if interested) Questions: Please call the front office (281-585-6626) SWAP!

2ND ANNUAL SWAP DAY! Period Subject Teacher Room Number 1st 2nd 3rd Students, Please complete the schedule below for your parent so they know where to go on Swap Day! Make sure your parent keeps the schedule! Period Subject Teacher Room Number 1st   2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Trading places and interacting

Trading places and interacting

Trading places and interacting

Conclusion After swap day concluded, teachers were given a survey to complete that questioned them about suggestions for next year, one positive experience they encountered, and how they think the day helped to foster parent involvement. A parent survey was also posted online for parents to complete concerning the same questions. All survey responses were noted and will be addressed for the next swap day.