What Every Parent Should Know to Help Their Child Have a Successful School Year Connie Mcknight Tuscarora High School Teacher and Campus Facilitator

Parental involvement is critical to student success. Research: Students who have caring adults supporting them through the k-12 educational process out-perform those who do not have a caring adult involved. School administration should be transparent. Parents should know school data (School's mission and vision for students, SOL scores, school rank, suspension rates, achievement gaps between minority and white students, suspension rates between students)

Three Levels of Parental Involvement in Schools 1. Uninvolved Parent 2. Reactive Parent 3. Proactive and Committed Parent

Uninvolved Parent Disinterested in child's education Does not know child's teachers, counselors, principal Does not attend school functions specific to their child i.e. conferences, BTSN, games and events Puts 100% of responsibility of child's academic success on school and teachers Parent may go 4 years (high school) without stepping foot into the school or talking to the child's teachers

Reactive Parent Minimal interest in child's education Only gets involved when the school calls home (usually for negative reason) Will only come to school and attend meetings when requested (usually for something negative) Adopts a "Don't ask don't tell" attitude and only expects a call for negative behavior (detrimental to child) The child now develops a mindset that the only time a parent is to be involved is when they get in trouble May know the names of child's teachers but has not established a working relationship with them Puts majority of responsibility of child's education on the school

Proactive and Committed Parent Has personal/positive working relationship with child's teachers, counselor and principal Is a familiar face at the school (volunteer, attends meetings, BTSN, touching bases, etc) Participates in meetings, IEP's, 504's, parent conferences as an active team member – ii. As a parent you want to be involved in decision making process Provides teachers with helpful input on how their child learns including strengths and weaknesses (you know your child best)

Proactive and Committed Parent cont. Closely monitors child's academic progress and intervenes as necessary – Demands parents teacher conferences when child has drop in grades or sees changes in behavior – Demands teachers/school to provide prescriptive plan of action to raise achievement or improve behavior – Requires specific details when child is not successful (does not settle for "Billy doesn't pay attention or doesn't do homework) Supports child with athletics and extracurricular activities Member of school sponsored parent organizations such as PTSA, booster clubs, chaperone

Get Connected Visit your student’s school website Access Clarity weekly Visit the LCPS website Discuss course selection with your student. Review course expectations and course syllabi Click on “Academics” once on the county website Know your child’s strengths and weaknesses Make yourself accessible to your child and their teachers

We want every child to R.E.A.C.H their potential Recognizing Engaging Advocating Challenging Helping

Recognizing : Students must recognize their strengths and challenges in order to reach into their full academic potential. Through R.E.A.C.H. students will determine their learning styles, areas of need and ways to adapt to their different learning environments.

Engaging: Students must be engaged in their education and be stake holders and decision makers. Through R.E.A.C.H. students will learn how to be an active participant in and out of the classroom setting.

Advocating: Students must learn to advocate for themselves by developing effective communication skills. Through R.E.A.C.H. students will learn how to handle various situations in a positive way.

Challenging: Students must learn to challenge themselves and step outside of their comfort zone. Through R.E.A.C.H. students will set goals and access their progress towards their goals.

Helping: Students must use their talents and abilities to help others. Through R.E.A.C.H. students will participate in activities that assist people in their families, community and surrounding areas.

Lessons for R.E.A.C.H. Week One (January 15 th ) – Getting to Know You (Who are you?) Week Two (January 22 th ) – What I Like About Me (Self Image) Week Three (January 29 th ) – Strengths and Areas of Need (A starting point) Week Four (February 5th) – Setting Goals and Reaching Them Week Five (February 12th) – How to Deal with Conflict Week Six (February 19th) – Standing Up for What is Right Week Seven (February 26th) – Time Management (A balancing act)

R.E.A.C.H. Summer Camp 2012 June Times: 8am – 4pm Place: Will Power Sport and Fitness in Ashburn, Virginia Themes: June “Well-Rounded and Fit” /July “Literacy and Real Life Experience" Age Groups: 2 nd – 8 th grade Cost: $150 per week Brief Description: Children will explore several different activities including community service, positive self image, staying fit and eating healthy. A healthy lunch and snacks will be served

Day 1 – Recognizing Who are you? How do you learn? What is important to you? How does your environment affect you? How do you affect the people around you? Day 2 – Engaging Are you paying attention? Are you involved? Do you make a difference? Have you tried new things?

Day 3 – Advocating Is your voice being heard? Do your family, friends and community know where you stand? Influence/Persuasion Day 4 – Challenging Are you doing extra? Are you setting goals and assessing your growth?

Day 5 – Helping What would you do (in specific situations)? Pay it forward! No act of kindness is too small! A component of staying fit and eating healthy will be discussed each day Applications will be available on April 30 th ! You will find the application on my Tuscarora Teacher Website  Tuscarora  Constance Mcknight  Campus or You may me at