No Time Like the Present To:
GET INVOLVED!
Parents, you should know:
Your involvement matters: Research shows that students with involved parents are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, enroll in higher-level programs, be pro-moted and earn credits, attend school regularly, have better social skills.
You can be involved in many ways: As a teacher—establishing a learning environment at home for the whole family. As a supporter—volunteering at school and taking part in school activities that pro-mote education. As an advocate—for your own child as well as others—pressing state and local lead-ers for better programs and higher achievement. As a decision-maker—taking part in decisions about programs and staffing. Join the PTA, get involved in the School-Based Decision Making board.
Children need you: American students are not performing as well in school as they should be. Less than one-third of American students are doing well in reading, writing, math, science and other important subjects; according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, “the nation’s report card”.
Schools need you: Public opinion polls show that parents, elected officials and educa-tors alike agree that the lack of parent involvement is the key challenge facing schools. Teachers and principals are desperate for parents like you to be more involved.
You should know what learning standards are in each grade: You should know at the start of the school year, what is being taught in English, Math, Science, Social Studies and other subjects in each grade; and how the learning will be tested so you can understand how to help your children do their best.
You should know the school’s behavior standards: Students need to feel safe in order to learn. You should know what the school’s safety and discipline standards are, how trouble makers are handled, and how the school is promoting a safe environment.
You should know how your child’s school is doing: School districts now are required to publish parent-friendly report cards every year that show how students are performing in reading and math, atten-dance rates, graduation rates, and whether all students are making good progress.
Learn to collaborate with the school: Communication between parents and professionals is very im-portant. Always remember that your child is most important. So developing a good working relationship with professionals creates a team approach to providing the best educational experience for your child.
Nurture relationships: It’s not enough to collaborate, but work to nurture the relationship. You can’t build relationships if you only sit around a table once a year. It’s important to keep the lines of communi-cation open, and promote input and feedback in y0ur child’s education, especially if there are concerns to share.
Be assertive and not aggressive: You want to be confident and maintain the consideration of others, and not pursue your own aims/interests forcefully, selfishly, or excessively.
Healthy working relationships with educators are important. Coming together is a beginning; working to-gether for a common goal is progress; good collaborative communication is a success!
Parent Outreach Activities
Expressions Café—Open every Tuesday, from 10am to 1pm for parents to drop by the Council office and talk with Parent Outreach Staff about any concerns or questions regarding their child/adult with disabilities. Expressions Café holds an IEP work group every third Tuesday of the month, parents must RSVP for this work group; space is limited.
Father’s Group—Learn to be a DAdvocate, know the special education law and your rights and responsibilities as a father of a child with a disability. Meets for specific topics.
Just Getting Started—meets for specific topics to offer support, resources and information to families of infants/toddlers and young children with disabilities.
Just Getting Started Parent Advisory Board—Parents of small children with disabilities offering support and suggestions for parent engagement activities. Board meets quarterly.
Family TIES—offers individualized plans of care, encouragement, trainings, information, sup-ports to families with medically fragile children.
Healthy Family—focus on health education and prevention through resources, trainings and support in the area of health & wellness for the entire family.
Parent Outreach Volunteers—experienced parents who offer a shoulder to lean on and a voice of experience to new or challenged parents of children with disabilities.
For additional information, contact Pamela at (502) 584-1239
Or email at pmcdaniel@councilondd.org