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Teacher-Tested Tips:
Communication Notebook
Submitted by: Kim Bodenstab
Parent provides a spiral notebook that goes back and forth from home and school daily in the child's backpack. This provides an easy way to write a note to a parent and to make sure that they know to look for it. The parent can write info to the teacher and this saves lots of time spent on phone calls. I provide a basket for the kids to place their notebooks in each morning. The students also look in the basket at the end of the day when their notebook is ready to be sent home.
Encouraging and Tracking Parental Involvement
Submitted by: Norma Tabayoyong, Principal
Parent involvement continues to be our target goal for the next 3-5 years under Effective Schools Practices. This can help teachers or school leaders track how much parental involvement is being provided by our parents: more »»
HOME VOLUNTEER PACKETS
Submitted by: Jacklyn Probert
Many parents want to help, but are unable to come to the school during the day. At the beginning of the year, I ask for 5 "Home Volunteers."
** I prepare a 5 large clasped envelopes with teacher name, classroom number, and the words HOME VOLUNTEER written on each. I write the name of each of the days of the week (Mon- Friday), one day on each envelope. I also write the volunteer's family name on the envelope. I then laminate the envelope so it will last the full year.
** The day of the week on the envelope is the day of the week the parent can expect the volunteer packet to come home with their child. This helps the parent to know when to look for it, and gives them the opportunity to pick the best volunteer night of the week.
** Some of the ideas for using the packets could be:
1) placing stickers on papers--include stickers, 2) homework pages to compile--include stapler, 3) things to cut out, 4) things to put together, 5) phone calls to make, 6)letters/notes to mail and send, etc. ** If you don't have anything to send home that night, send the envelope with a thank you note and candy bar included! My parents have loved helping at home, and students enjoy seeing their parent(s) helping! more »»
Let your parents know what to do
Submitted by: Unknown
This year for the first time I had an after school meeting with the parent's that signed up to volunteer. I told them exactly what they would be doing in the room, who would be working with the children directly and who would be doing prep work. I also took them to our workroom and showed them how to use our xerox mach... more »»
Maintaining an email list for each subject
Submitted by: Jeff Ciaccio
During the first week of the semester, I create an email list with all of the parents' addresses for each different subject (prep) I have. I then send out communication about once a week to let them know about upcoming tests, projects, etc. I also send out study guides for each test, and this really improved the involvement because it gave the parents something tangible to use. more »»
Grade Level(s):
9-12
Parent Involvement
Submitted by: DeeGee, 3rd
Before the school year begins I hold a Parent Orientation get together in my classroom. Each family is required to send at least one parent to attend the meeting. At this meeting I go over all the expectations for the coming school year. One area of concern is get the parents involved. Too many times it is the same par... more »»
Several Ideas
Submitted by: Cate
Getting parents involved can be tricky and hard. I am currently working at a school in the NT and parent involvement is poor. ** 1. We have had a meet the teacher night - Parents and their child can come and meet you, check out the school etc. ** 2. We do student-led conferences - which requires 100% parent involvement... more »» | 
