1. The Parent’s Role in Positively Impacting Student Achievement Catholic Community of Caring Culture and Climate: A Parent Resource

2. Parents: A Catholic Education Perspective “The role of parents is so vital in the basic education of children that no other agency can adequately replace it. The Church and school can only assist and support parents in fulfilling their responsibility for developing moral attitudes and Christian values.” Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1987

3. The Parental Role in a Child’s Education - Research Family participation in education is TWICE as predictive of students’ academic success as family socioeconomic status 86% of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve schools School age children spend 70% of their waking hours outside of school Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario

4. Parents Play an Important Role in Creating a Positive Culture within the School Community: Catholic Community of Caring Culture and Climate is a District-wide initiative that focuses on creating positive respectful relationships within the school culture. Parents play a key role in building that positive culture through their parental involvement. This involvement is outlined in eight various ways: »Communication »Helping at Home »Attending School Events »Building Parenting Skills »Volunteering »Fundraising »Participating in Decision-Making »Leveraging Community http://www.schoolcouncils.net/framework

5. Triangulated Influence “Where do children learn and grow? At home. At school. In the community. Students develop in all contexts simultaneously and continuously. Thus, the bridges of home, school and community are inevitably interconnected.” Joyce Epstein, 2001, pg.161 http://www.curriculum.org/leadingandlearning/main.html#Main

6. Sphere of Influence in a Child’s Education School ParentsChurch/Community

7. Through Communication Parents Can: Read monthly school newsletters Read classroom newsletters (if available) Visit the school website Provide your child’s teacher with various contact modes (cell number, email address, work and home numbers) Review your child’s agenda nightly Talk with your child’s teacher about your child Review child’s work when it is brought home http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#communicating

8. By Helping at Home Parents Can: Be aware of homework assignments Guide and support the completion of homework Provide a homework appropriate space for your child Support preparation and participation in school events, clubs, teams and special events Provide a nutritious diet Ensure the child is appropriately dressed for the weather Be aware of school and teacher homework policies Expose your child to the richness of Sunday Mass Celebrations http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#helping%20at%20home

9. By Attending School Events Parents Can: Actively participate in your child’s school events Stay current regarding upcoming school events Take advantage of the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher(s) during parent/teacher interviews Attend events as a family when possible http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#attending%20school%20events

10. By Building Parenting Skills Parents Can: Become familiar with any parent resources provided at your child’s school Provide suggestions to School Council regarding skills you wish to enhance Communicate with other parents regarding common challenges and resources Take advantage of opportunities to participate in parent skill sessions http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#building%20parenting%20skills

11. Through Volunteering Parents Can: The five main types of volunteer activities include: Traditional volunteering, including assisting individual classroom teachers, supervising on field trips, or helping librarians or other staff within the school. This often has a direct impact on student learning, as these volunteers extend the supervision or resources available to teaching staff. Organizing school events for the benefit of students. These might be special meals or lunches, or events that enrich the learning experience or the school environment for children. Organizing school events that bring families to the school. These might include an expanded meet-the-teacher night at the beginning of the school year to introduce parents to the culture of the school, art shows or concerts or guest speakers that will address both children and parents. This is one of the key ways that volunteers engage other school parents. Organizing or running fundraising programs to benefit the students within the school. Bringing community resources into the school for the benefit of students. http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#volunteering

12. Through Fundraising Parents Can: Support student learning through support of the school plan for continuous improvement Provide additional resources and opportunities to assist in all student’s achievement Support children and families with programs to enhance a healthy learning environment Work in conjunction with School Council and the school Principal to ensure all District policies regarding fundraising are followed http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#fundraising

13. By Participating in Decision Making Parents Can: Stimulate a sense of partnership and ownership in decisions that support students Actively play a role in the decisions impacting their child’s education Establish conditions for an effective school council Take part in and encourage dialogue about major issues or decisions facing students or the school with other parents and school-based staff www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#participating%20in%20decision%20making

14. By Leveraging Community Parents Can: Mobilize community resources to enhance student learning by: Help address task of teaching all students within the community environment (i.e. inclusion) Foster community responsibility, participation and interaction Embed the school as an increasingly integrated part of the community www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#leveraging%20community%20resources

15. Advice for Parents: “How can I help my child do better in school this year?” Communicate effectively with your child’s teacher to assist in overcoming any challenges or to advise the teacher of any challenges that your child faces outside the classroom http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/parents.htm

16. Advice for School Council: “How can I help my child do better in school this year?” The purpose of an effective school council is: Fostering parental and community involvement in education. Participating in the school improvement planning process Influencing decisions made by principals, school boards and the Ministry of Education However, the larger opportunity for school councils is to take a clear leadership role in fostering parental and community involvement in education To support the parents that wish to simply carry out their role as parents of their children http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/school_councils.htm

17. Parental Resource: http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/tips/index.htm (Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) Interactive Homework) http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123/eng/tips/index.ht ml (Tips for parents in helping child in specific subjects K-6) http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/abc123/ (Tips in various languages)

18. References http://www.cpco.on.ca/ProfessionalDevelopment/LiteracyNumeracy/Lite racyNumeracyInfo.aspx http://www.curriculum.org/leadingandlearning/main.html#Main http://www.schoolcouncils.net/framework http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/eight_strategies.htm#attending%20sc hool%20events http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/parents.htm http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/teachers.htm http://www.parentinvolvement.ca/school_councils.htm http://www.cpirc.org/vertical/Sites/%7B95025A21-DD4C-45C2-AE37- D35CA63B7AD9%7D/uploads/%7B1310DD65-F94A-457D-A680- 9EE824084458%7D.PDF