1. Community Outreach Update Parent/Family Engagement Month
Rena Anderson
Director, Community Engagement
October 1, 2015

2. October is Alabama’s Statewide Parent Visitation Month
The purpose is to raise awareness of the importance of parental engagement and the key role that parents play in their child’s education
Theme:
Home and Schools: Cultivating Positive Relationships
When parents are engaged in their children’s education in positive ways, children achieve higher grades, demonstrate more positive attitudes/behavior, graduate at higher rates and have greater enrollment in higher education.

3. What does Parental Engagement Look Like?
Stay connected and “in the know” with school/district activities:
Review school/district calendars
Learn how to use Edmodo
Have your child show you how to access digital curriculum
Check student grades online
Learn about career readiness programs, course offerings, after-school programs
Read with your child
Review school newsletter/website

4. What does Parental Engagement Look Like?
School/Parent:
Discuss Student Progress
Review Grades and Attendance Record on INOW system
Attend school tours, Lunch and Learns, Open House, Parent/Teacher Conference, PTA meetings/events, etc.
Review hand-outs/materials sent home with student
Have lunch with your child
Highlight student artwork
Work on school projects together
Learn about community resources
available to families

5. What Does Research Say About Parent Engagement?
The most accurate predictor of a student’s achievement in school is not family income or social status, but the extent to which the student’s family is able to:
Create a home environment that encourages learning
Communicate high, yet reasonable expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers
Become involved in their children’s education at school and in their community

6. Parents/Families have the Greatest Impact on Their Children’s Lives
This month is an opportunity for parents and the community to show their support for public education – our schools, teachers, students and learning
PTA’s National Standards for Family-School Partnerships:
Standard 1: Welcoming all families into the school community – Families are active participants in the life of the school and feel welcomed, valued and connected to each other, to school staff and to what students are learning and doing in class