1. H OW TO PROMOTE P ARENT I NVOLVEMENT IN OUR S CHOOLS By Denise Long, Community School Coordinator.

2. Working together is success.” Henry Ford Coming together is a beginning Keeping together is Progress

3. R ESEARCH S HOWS The earlier in a child's education that parent involvement begins, the more powerful the effects will be.

4. 1, WHY DON ’ T PARENTS GET INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD ' S SCHOOL ! B ARRIERS

5. 2, HOW TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO VOLUNTEER !.

6. 3, H OW TO KEEP YOUR VOLUNTEERS !

7. WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS Discomfort with formal Education setting Memories of “less than pleasant” school experiences Lack of personal success in formal education Issues with authority figures Education completed

8. WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS School’s Comfort Level With Inviting Parents into our Schools Teachers willingness to empower volunteers Additional work to set up programs and supervise additional volunteers

9. WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS Parents Attitude Teachers are paid to educate so “why should I go do their job” Already involved in too many things Let one of the other parents do it this time My child wouldn’t like me there

10. H OW TO GET PARENTS TO VOLUNTEER HOW TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO VOLUNTEER Have parents fill out a survey at the beginning of the year Have a list of dates of the events that you have every year Offer parents opportunities to volunteer at your special events that are well-organized, long lasting, or one time only Help parents fill out 701 Policy, offer to pay for their Criminal Record Check, Have a volunteer orientation day BBQ Open House “Meet and Greet”

11. A LLOW PARENTS TO CHOOSE FROM A RANGE OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES HOW TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO VOLUNTEER Offer short term and longer term projects. Develop projects that can be done at home and brought back to school Organization, planning skills Clerical, copying Hobbies, crafts, talents, artistic abilities Special expertise

12. NOW YOU HAVE YOUR VOLUNTEERS HOW TO KEEP THEM Thank you volunteers daily, a personal thank you goes a long way. Have students write thank you notes Identify a parent center for parents to use while at school Design a parent friendly environment Parent information wall, corner or a room to gather Give parents a badge that identifies them as a “parent partner” at school Communicate regularly and acknowledge parent involvement through news letters, talk mail etc.

13. Students with involved families, regardless of income or background, are more likely to: o Earn high grades and test scores o Enroll in higher-level programs o Improve their behavior and attitude o Pass their classes, earn credits and be promoted o Attend school regularly o Graduate and go on to post-secondary education A FEW FACTS:

14. Q UESTIONS !

15. THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING Denise Long, Community School Coordinator