Parent Engagement Effective strategies Miriam Villegas Sandy Barba El Sol Science & Arts Academy Teacher Sandy Barba El Sol Science & Arts Academy Room Parent and PTO Treasurer

What does the research say? Regardless of family income or background, students whose parents are involved in their schooling are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school. When parents are involved at school, the performance of all the children at school, not just their own, tends to improve. The more comprehensive and well planned the partnership between school and home, the higher the student achievement. Henderson, A.T., and K.L. Mapp. 2002. A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement Many research studies support what teachers instinctively know: Students do better academically and socially when schools build positive relationships with their families.

Why is Parent involvement important? For Teachers Creates an effective partnership with parents. Extra hands in the classroom. Helps you to “really” know your parents and take advantage of their diverse talents. Keeps communication open Identify leads (room parents) that can help you communicate with other parents in classroom) Engages working parents Reduces amount of time working on tedious tasks, thus focusing on student learning . Copying, grading, data entry Preparing materials for learning stations Cutting, gluing, coloring, etc. Extra hands: Be prepared, have volunteers notify you when they will come in and have a list of things you would like them to do.

Why is Parent involvement important? For Parents Involved in Childs educations and success More time with Child Show child the importance and value to education Approachability-Feel more comfortable asking teacher questions Accountable for my child education Advocate for your Child Ownership and Pride

How to engage parents Know your purpose for involving parents-What do you want parents to do? Create an environment that welcomes participation. Start Early Communication Everyone can help Accommodate Family Needs Showcase Students Involve Family in Learning Get Involved outside the class 1. Do you want them in the building to simply raise their awareness? Do you want them to help model behavior in the classroom? Do you want them to help with sports, music, or academic fund raising? Doyou want them involved in the classroom? Test review and preparation?

Welcoming environment Signs that greet families warmly at the school door, the central office, and the classroom should be in the languages spoken by the community. A school-based family resource center providing information, links to social services. Opportunities for informal meetings with staff and other families also contributes to a family-friendly atmosphere. PTO free events Coffee chats with administration If facilities permit, have a parent room.

Start Early Set Expectations Early School registration packet Mandatory 20 Hours Parents Volunteer Work Pre-school to 8th grade Emphasize at back-to-school night Use Room Parents Outline how they can help you Set guidelines to limit instruction interruptions

Communication Have open line of communication Use Social Media & Electronics Professional Class Facebook Text E-mail Use Room Parents to send and retrieve information We obtain parents contact info for ourselves for those that are open to it. Set Parameters on time frames of communication Thursday Packet Routine

Everyone Can Help Use different parents talents Talk to your parents, you would be surprised Some are great at getting donations Some can help you cut paper Some can help you coordinator kinder Play Some can help only mornings clean tables Some can help every other Friday during flex

Accommodate Have a translator handy for your monolingual parents Meet evening or before school We have two PTO meeting Offer incentives for parents to attend meetings. All documents should be translated

Showcase Students Parents love to see what their kids work Parents love to show off their kids Recognize all students if possible once during the year in class or during assembly Take the time to put up the students work

Showcase Students Take pictures of them working and put it next to the project Poste video clips on Social media if allowed Invite parents into classroom to help present project (i.e. hold up project while student presents it)

Family Involvement Assign practical homework that requires family conversation and actions Make it a home connection to what is happening in the classroom. Invite parents to students presentation during school time Have special family events Literacy night, math science night, etc… Kinder Family Tree Project First grade animal project Second grade Family Pumpkin decorating

Teacher Involvement Family Social should be attended by teacher too Teacher involvement in PTO and their committees Attend school festival/activities for the families shows you care

Final Thoughts… Any role a parent takes on or time invested to become more involved in their child’s education is time well-spent, even if it doesn’t always occur directly alongside their child or within their classroom. Insure parents know how much their volunteering is appreciated. School wide: Volunteer recognition breakfast, certificates. Classroom: Make it more personal; a letter of gratitude goes a long way. May include a small gift. ,