Parents are super important in our school program because we believe that the good habits and behaviors we want students to learn should be the same at home and at school. This year is our first time trying out this new program, so we focused on what we teach at school to see what works well and what we might want to change.
To get parents involved, we used a lot of helpful materials from Common Sense Media. We created a special section on our school district’s website just for parents. Here, they can find tip sheets and other resources that help them support their kids’ learning at home.
We also keep parents in the loop by sending out a weekly school newsletter. This newsletter is very popular and many parents read it to stay updated. Plus, we send emails to make sure parents know what’s happening at school.
When parents and schools work together, students benefit the most. They get consistent messages about what is important, like being respectful, responsible, and safe. This teamwork helps students succeed both in school and in life.
Here are some extra tips for parents to help their kids do well:
By working together, parents and schools can create a great learning environment for students!
Design a colorful poster that highlights the importance of parent involvement in your education. Include key points from the article, such as the benefits of teamwork between parents and schools. Share your poster with your classmates and discuss why these points are important.
Pair up with a classmate and role-play a conversation between a student and a parent discussing what was learned at school. Use tips from the article to guide your conversation. Afterward, switch roles and try again. Reflect on how these conversations can help improve learning.
Work in small groups to create a mock school newsletter for parents. Include sections that inform parents about school events, learning tips, and ways they can get involved. Present your newsletter to the class and explain why each section is important for parent engagement.
Interview a parent or guardian about their thoughts on being involved in your education. Prepare questions based on the article, such as how they stay informed about school activities. Share your findings with the class and discuss how parent involvement can be improved.
Participate in a class discussion about the importance of consistent messages between home and school. Use examples from the article, like being respectful and responsible. Discuss how consistency can help you and your classmates succeed both academically and personally.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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[Music] Parents play a significant role in our program because we strongly believe that the behaviors we want students to model and embrace need to be consistent both at home and at school. This year, being our first implementation year, we decided to focus on the curriculum here on campus to learn what we liked and what we might consider doing differently.
In terms of parent involvement, we utilized a lot of the Common Sense Media parent materials to create a public website on our school district’s site. This allows parents to access various tip sheets and resources. Additionally, we communicated regularly through our weekly school newsletter, which is widely read by parents, and we also sent out several emails to keep them informed.
[Music]
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This version maintains the original message while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Parents – People who take care of and raise children, providing them with love, support, and guidance. – Parents often attend school meetings to stay informed about their child’s education.
School – A place where children go to learn about various subjects and develop important skills. – Our school organizes a science fair every year to encourage students to explore different scientific concepts.
Learning – The process of gaining knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Learning about different cultures helps students understand and appreciate diversity.
Resources – Materials or tools that help people learn or accomplish tasks. – The library provides many resources, like books and computers, to help students with their research projects.
Newsletter – A printed or digital publication that shares news and information with a specific group of people. – The school newsletter includes updates on upcoming events and important announcements for parents and students.
Involvement – The act of participating in activities or being engaged in a particular process. – Parental involvement in school activities can greatly enhance a child’s educational experience.
Teamwork – The combined effort of a group of people working together to achieve a common goal. – Teamwork is essential in group projects, as it allows students to share ideas and complete tasks efficiently.
Respectful – Showing consideration and appreciation for others and their feelings. – Being respectful to teachers and classmates creates a positive learning environment for everyone.
Responsible – Being reliable and making good choices, especially when it comes to completing tasks and taking care of duties. – Students are responsible for bringing their homework to class on time.
Homework – Assignments given to students by their teachers to be completed outside of regular class time. – Completing homework helps reinforce what students have learned in school and prepares them for upcoming lessons.
