Parents as Partners...

As a firm believer in the Power of Three , I continually search for ways of engaging parents in  providing the best opportunities for our children. What other strategies should we use? Parent Forums on topics of interest ?? Guest speakers??

I usually read several different blogs dealing with a variety of topics such as leadership, partnerships and education. Recently, I came across a blog post that dealt with my constant questioning about family involvement in school. I was struck by this excerpt:As a teacher, it is imperative to get parents on your side and help them see how important their job is as their child's educational coach, so to speak. Their attitudes about school filter down and are passed on to their child. If education is viewed as important, the child will naturally be inclined to work harder and do better.

At DMS, we continue to reach out to our parents and families and ask for your support -for your partnership. I am afraid that the gaps will never close completely. But more importantly, the chances of our students becoming productive citizens slightly lessens. Research shows that parent involvement in school, particularly their child's school, causes an increase in school pride, as well as achievement.

There are a variety of ways to be involved ( granted that the kids do not want mom or dad in the building):

-      PAC meetings

-      SPEAC

-      Field Trips ( you’ll be amazed how much you’ll get to know!)

I often read this poem titled Unity:

I dreamed I stood in a studio
And watched two sculptors there,
The clay they used was a young child's mind
And they fashioned it with care.

One was a teacher:
the tools she used were books and music and art;
One was a parent
With a guiding hand and gentle loving heart.

And when at last their work was done,
They were proud of what they had wrought.
For the things they had worked into the child
Could never be sold or bought!

And each agreed she would have
failed if she had worked alone.
For behind the parent stood the school,
and behind the teacher stood the home!

Let's continue striving towards more involvement...