Parent Engagement 101

The recipe:The Secret

IngredientThe IngredientsThe DirectionsSpecial InstructionsThe Finished

Product

What are the barriers to parent engagement?

What is our commitment?

The Secret Ingredient

Support parent participation in decisions relating to the education of their children

Provide trainings to empower you as a parent and advocate

Recognition Support

Respect

Information

YOU make a difference

4 big ways you can make sure your child(ren) succeed(s) in school:

1) Encourage learning at home

2) Have high expectations of your child(ren)

3) Be involved in your child’s education (in and outside of school)

4) Send your student to school every day on time

Parent/Family Engagement

The Ingredients

Source: Wherry, John, “Parent Involvement: Nine Truths You Must Know Now”

• When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, students tend to do better, stay in school longer, and like school more by being in the school, you build relationships to make this happen!

• Students see more people that look like them and come from their community in school

• Children from your community know you are around, and tend to watch their behavior

Engagement in School: Why Volunteer?

The Ingredients

• You build relationships with teachers and school staff makes families more approachable, and school more welcoming

• Your presence can improve school climate (staff and student behavior, interactions between staff and families)

• More positive behavior and discipline practices

Benefits to children, Impact on the school

How does it all add up?

The Ingredients

WHAT IS “SCHOOL CLIMATE?”

Refers to the quality and character of what happens inside a school – the environment of the school.

In a positive school climate …

Children feel safe emotionally, physically, and mentally

All people – students, teachers, parents – feel respected and work together

Parent involveme

nt in education

School Climate

Student Achievement

• Buses on time• People wake up on time

• Want to go• Sick

• Suspended• Parents/caregivers feel they are safe

Barriers?

Barriers

The Directions

Building the power, knowledge and skill of parents through:

• Leadership

• Relationship building

• Tools and training

Leadership

Opportunities

In your community

• Tutoring programs

• Mentoring programs

• Community Councils

• Speaking at School Board meetings & other public forums

In the school

• Volunteering (e.g. lunch duty, hallways, events, classroom assistance)

• Meetings: PSCC, PTO/PTA, EFA

• School Improvement Planning Committee member

Special Instructions

Relationship Building

Special Instructions

Staff

Parent

Parent

Parent

Student

School

Building Skills & Knowledge of Parents

Trainings

• Leadership Development

• Knowing Your Rights

• Developing a PTO/PTA

• Course Requirements & Credits

• Conflict Resolution

• Bully Prevention

Special Instructions

… and many more!!!!

• Buses on time tools & training • People wake up on time relationship

building• Want to go relationship building

• Sick relationship building• Suspended tools & training

• Parents/caregivers feel they are safe tools & trainings AND relationship building

Barriers?

The Finished Product

Parents who are engaged

Positive school climate

Students want to be there and learn

Finished Product

The Finished Product

Questions?