If you are reading this, you are probably either a school PTO leader, principal or room mom trying to figure out how to get more parents involved! Know this, you are not alone! Schools across the country struggle to get the participation that they want and need everyday! I've been there too. Here's the scenario... My son attended a middle school with approximately 700 kids that was in need of a PTO leader. Sure, why not! I love education, kids and planning so how bad could it be? Right?!?! Wrong! I almost immediately realized that getting people to actually come help with anything was difficult. Honestly, it felt impossible. I had a mini pity party and decided that wasn't going to cut it! These are good people that love their kids. I knew that! Now, I just needed to come up with how to get them involved! That leads me to the topic of this post! How to Increase Parent Engagement at Your School First and foremost, remember that you were willing to step up. Whether that was out of guilt, because there was no one else or you are part of an amazing school that has an active PTO, someone cares about the PTA group! The reality is, while it may not seem like it, everyone wants it to work. They just aren't jumping up and down saying
Parent involvement matters. In this post, the benefits of having parent support are shared. Parent handouts for teachers are included.
Inclusive schools that have maintained success over time have a very important commonality: They engage family members in meaningful school and classroom activities. Family involvement is an important component in nurturing a school environment of acceptance and support. Family structures in our country and around the world are increasingly diverse.…
Do you want to develop lasting relationships with your parents and families? Use this ultimate list of parent workshop topics and start engaging today.
Do you want to develop lasting relationships with your parents and families? Use this ultimate list of parent workshop topics and start engaging today.
Thinking about setting up engagement photos to get the most of your moments can be tricky! Check out these timeless poses that'll be memorable for years to come.
The Elementary Parent Engagement Poster is an essential tool tailored for parents of elementary students, offering insightful guidance and practical tips to enhance involvement in their child's education. With colorful graphics and concise information, this poster serves as a valuable resource, fostering strong partnerships between parents, educators, and young learners for academic growth and holistic development. Printed on high-quality, heavy cardstock with a protective UV coating or on high-quality, peel and stick, non-permanent vinyl.
> You may or may not know that I have another blog focusing on parent engagement resources. And I have scores of related “Best” lists here. Over the past few years, though, I’v…
Family and Community Engagement is essential. It is important to involve the entire school in creating an environment that supports parents. We
Parent involvement matters. In this post, the benefits of having parent support are shared. Parent handouts for teachers are included.
Looking for the best show and tell ideas for kindergarten? You're in the right place. Besides ideas, we aim to provide a glimpse into all the benefits.
Une photo de mariage originale et créative qui sort de l'ordinaire sera la touche insolite dans l'album-photo plein de photos conventionnelles.
It's the tiny moments of everyday ritual that ultimately make the difference to the connection we have with our kids.
Family and Community Engagement is essential. It is important to involve the entire school in creating an environment that supports parents. We
I'm so happy to finally share some photos from our Nigerian ceremony! I made sure to include a lot of FAQs from the event and some special moments from our big day. We found the venue in a short amount of time and struggled to get all the details finalized due to so many moving
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's full circle moment with Baby Sussex
By Jennifer Larson - The key to improving parent engagement is a consistent and simplified flow of communication between school, home and all other stakeholders.
Looking for one-to-one tutoring services in-home or online? Call Tutor Doctor! 95% of our customers said they would recommend us to others. 60 Day Money Back Guarantee.
Ways to build the parent-classroom connections and communication from the beginning of school; for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten classrooms
Kids don't stay little forever! In the blink of an eye your little one grows from baby to adulthood. Here are 80+ ways to cherish your child growing up.
If you are reading this, you are probably either a school PTO leader, principal or room mom trying to figure out how to get more parents involved! Know this, you are not alone! Schools across the country struggle to get the participation that they want and need everyday! I've been there too. Here's the scenario... My son attended a middle school with approximately 700 kids that was in need of a PTO leader. Sure, why not! I love education, kids and planning so how bad could it be? Right?!?! Wrong! I almost immediately realized that getting people to actually come help with anything was difficult. Honestly, it felt impossible. I had a mini pity party and decided that wasn't going to cut it! These are good people that love their kids. I knew that! Now, I just needed to come up with how to get them involved! That leads me to the topic of this post! How to Increase Parent Engagement at Your School First and foremost, remember that you were willing to step up. Whether that was out of guilt, because there was no one else or you are part of an amazing school that has an active PTO, someone cares about the PTA group! The reality is, while it may not seem like it, everyone wants it to work. They just aren't jumping up and down saying
The trick to getting more parents engaged and involved in your schol + PTO is deceptively simple. Try this easy method to boost your school volunteer base!
As teachers, one of our greatest resources can be the parents of the students we work with. It takes time and effort to foster strong relationships with parents, but it is often more than worth it in the end. I've worked with parents that are ready to jump right in and become a partner right away and others that needed more coaxing. There are several things you can do to create a welcoming environment that produces parent allies or even parent partners. This list is going to contain things I have done in my classroom, things my friends have shared with me, and things that I have thought about implementing when I get back into the classroom after my parental leave is over. Do not feel the pressure to do all of these things at the same time. You know your classroom and the parents you're working with best. You want to include them without overwhelming them. Do what feels right to you! Reach Out Right Away The easiest was to open a positive dialogue is to send a letter home before school even starts. Include something in the envelope for the student and something for the parents to introduce yourself. Give them your contact information and when you're available to take phone calls. Something I have not done, but I will consider doing in the future is including a photograph of myself and any other adult working in the classroom. My daughter's teachers did this and it lessened a lot of her anxiety as she prepared for the new school year. Teach Them About the Programs Often times, our parents have been out of the classroom as a student for years and have never been in the classroom as a teacher. Some of the programming may be confusing or overwhelming. I like to share which reading and math programs we will be using, along with any websites that may be helpful for them to use at home. Another thing I like to share with the parents I am working with is some information about the special education program their child is in. I created a Parent's Guide to Co-teaching that has been very helpful and well-received. If you're co-teaching, I encourage you to check it out! Accept Help When it is Offered How many times has a parent offered to help you and you politely declined? I know that sometimes it feels like it can be more work to find something for them to do, but often times the parents are literally willing to do anything to help! At the beginning of the year, create a list of things that you would be willing to hand off to a helpful parent, should they ask. Some of the help I have accepted (and offered as a parent) are running centers during rotations, organizing the classroom library, making copies, making play-dough, cutting out lamination pieces, and creating bulletin boards. Regular Communication Regular and expected communication is so important. Whether you send home a communication log, behavior charts, or newsletters, it is important to be consistent. When you have consistent positive communication, it will be easier to approach a parent about any issues that may arise. For some of my less verbal students, that means a daily communication log. I found that a lot of parents felt that the book was mine and they didn't feel comfortable writing in it so I created a printable version that I love! Not only does it encourage the parents to write in it every day, I can easily check off information and add in details as needed. Having a layout to write in saves me a lot of time when I have multiple logs to fill out at the end of the day. Newsletters are also great for communication! I know that as a parent, I love knowing what is going on in the classroom. I like to include a lot of photographs in my newsletters so that it makes the families I work with feel like they are a part of the classroom. Encourage Questions Welcome questions! Most of the time, when a parents is questioning something that you're doing in the classroom, they are honestly wondering the reasoning or research behind it. They want to know more so they can understand what is working and not working for their child. Take the time to answer their questions and alleviate their concerns. Make yourself approachable! Put Your Listening Ears On Do you know what goals the parents in your classroom have for their children? Are you aware of their short term and long term concerns? You may be the expert in education, but they are the expert in their child. They are a valuable resource and you will learn so much if you just listen. Before special education meetings, I like to ask for parental input. You can either call or ask on paper. I like to send home an IEP Parent Input sheet a few weeks before a meeting which gives the families enough time to really think about any questions, concerns, or goals they have. Do Not Judge or Take Offense Every family situation is different. Do not be judgmental if something is going on at home that you do not agree with, such as a child being allowed to stay up until midnight on a school night. You do not know the reasoning behind that decision or the parent may not know that is difficult for their child to focus after those late nights. Present your concern. Listen to the parent. Offer suggestions if opportunity arrises. Just like you, they are more likely to share their difficulties when they are confident they will not be judged. Do not take things personally. You are working with humans and sometimes it can become stressful for everybody involved. Sometimes harsh words are thrown in your direction. Do not take critiques or negative words personally. Take a deep breath and move on. Don't forget, that you are the professional. Of course, sometimes the negative comments can get out of hand. In this case, ask another teacher or an administrator to sit in on any contact you have with that parent to protect yourself. You can read more about how I handle difficult meetings in this blog post. Share Data Teachers are not the only ones that like data! When you do an assessment, send it home. If you are progress monitoring, keep the parents informed on how things are going. I have checklists upon checklists that are helpful in these situations. The parents you work with will thank you for the constant educational updates! I am always looking for more ways to involve parents in my classroom! I would love to hear what else you do to encourage parent involvement!
Engagment Photos can be cheesy sometimes, but not this collection of incredibly beautiful and artistic engagment & couple photos from all over the world!
They've been with you through thick and thin. Mom and dad have always cheered you on, but it's easy on your big day to focus only on the bridesmaids, guests, or yourself. To make sure you celebrate your...
It doesn't get sweeter than this campfire celebration to signify 30 years of marriage for this loving couple. The parents, grandparents, and friends kicked off their anniversary with a vow renewal and these beautiful portraits.
Stay optimistic and inspired during this challenging time! Read these ideas for how you and your family can promote community engagement during this pandemic.
Kate Middleton went out on a surprise visit, meeting up with the community in London that helps parents and their young children at PACT
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Lundi, le prince Louis a effectué son premier engagement public avec ses parents, le prince William et Kate Middleton.
Explore SerenityF's 15173 photos on Flickr!
George, 9,Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, joined the Scouts to renovate their Scout Hut, taking part in plating, sanding and painting.
A London-based photographer is sharing a series of photos of senior couples posing for beautiful, 'engagement-style' photos.
Newly engaged! This post is for you. Here are some ideas and tips on what to wear for spring engagement pictures! See below for inspiration!
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In the final part of our unmissable series, PENNY JUNOR reveals how William fell for Kate Middleton, but was scared of becoming too attached.
Parenting is hard these days. We have so much access to information and science, but it can be hard to determine where we fit in and if it’s best for our children. This week we’re going to break down the 4 main parenting styles that exist. We’ll identify their characteristics and learn how each can affect
A few years ago, I happened to sit next to the sweetest event producer at Engage!, Allyson, of Bob Gail Special Events , who has sent us some of the most stunning weddings on the planet. Now fast for...
All about Meghan and Harry's latest renovation plans
