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The following resources can give you a few helpful ideas to further get involved in your student's education.
Parent Engagement Initiative Program
The Polk School County District Parent Initiative Program emphasizes parent engagement as an empowering form of parental involvement. This initiative is designed to impact student achievement and student discipline by surrounding young people with sensitive, caring adults who are committed to a better academic future for all children.
A successful implementation of the program is currently being offered at the following schools:
- Jesse Keen Elementary School
- Gibbons Street Elementary School
- Sandhill Elementary School
- Westwood Middle School
- McLaughlin Middle School
Each of these schools has been assigned a Parent Outreach Facilitator. This Facilitator focuses on 40 targeted students and their families by outreaching to the community, churches, and parents.
For further information, please contact Charisse Jones, Parent Outreach Coordinator at: (863)534-3670
Office of Diversity Management
Communicating
Conference Tips for Parents
Before the conference I can:
- Make a list of questions and concerns, examples:
- What kinds of activities does my child do well in at school?
- Where does my child have difficulty?
- Does my child get along with other children?
- Does my child follow the directions and guidance of adult leaders?
- What can I do from home to assist?
- Other Questions I have:
- Ask my child if he or she has question about school
- Arrange for a babysitter for small children
On the day of the conference I can:
- Allow plenty of time to get to the school
- Share information about my child so the teacher will know him or her better
- Take notes
After the conference I can:
- Make another appointment if I didn’t have enough time or for follow-up with the teacher
- Talk with my child about the conference
- Keep in touch with the teacher by telephone or through notes
Communicating Resources
Learning At Home
Family-Friendly Schools, Education-Friendly Homes
Your child will benefit if you:
- Encourage reading in your home
- Ensure adequate sleep
- Limit TV and video time
- Provide a well balanced healthy diet, even for teenagers
- See that your child attends school regularly and is on time
- Set aside a homework/study routine each school night
- Encourage completion of all of all assignments
- Attend all events in which your child participates
- Talk and listen to your child about school activities each day
- Ask for help or advice when your child is struggling or having a problem
- Provide ongoing enrichment
- Show respect and support for your child, the teachers and the school
- Support the school in developing positive behaviors
- Understand student expectations for each grade level & course
- Know how to access scholarship and financial aid information for higher education
- Update address and phone numbers with the main office
- Praise your child’s efforts
- Schedule at least one teacher conference during each year
- Read everything that comes home from school, checking backpacks regularly
- Monitor test scores and performance carefully
A Dozen Everyday Tips on How to Help Your Child Learn
- Say "good job" and "I knew you could do it."
- Ask "what do you think?" – and really listen to their answers.
- It's time to study. Set a daily routine for schoolwork, meals, and bedtime.
- Beat the clock. Let your children know you and others appreciate it when they're on time.
- Turn off the television. By limiting TV time, you'll open more time for other activities.
- Say "tell me about it." Learn what your children are doing in school. Encourage them to explain their assignments.
- Beat the "why do I need to learn this?" blues. Show children how their schoolwork applies to their lives.
- Get the library habit. Libraries hold a world of information. Make a trip to the local library a weekly routine.
- Show children how their schoolwork applies to their lives.
- Talk, talk, talk ... with your children as you go about your daily routines.
- Make story time a regular part of the day.
- Set high but realistic standards. Recognize that each child is different.
- Give them a pat on the back for a job well done.
from "Little Things Make a Big Difference," a booklet based on a survey of nearly 10,000 elementary and middle school principals
Volunteering
Be a "VIP" (Very Involved Parent)
Parents are vital to children’s success in school. Here’s why:
During the school-age years, children spend only about 13 percent of their time at school. But they’re learning all the time! Although teachers play an important part, parents are in the best position to help their kids do well in school and life. It doesn’t matter where you live, how much education you have or how much money you earn. You can make a big difference in your child’s education – all year ‘round!
There’s more than one way to be involved in education. We know it’s hard to attend every parent meeting or school event. However, there are many other ways for you to get involved and help your child be successful. Make education a priority in your home. Show an interest in your child’s schoolwork and school activities. Get acquainted with your child’s teachers. Sometimes, learning is hard work. Teach your child that effort is just as important as ability.
Your involvement is critical – at every age. All children, weather they are in first grade or twelfth grade, need parents who encourage, guide and support their learning. Even if you can’t help with homework every night, you can give your child something just as valuable: positive attitudes, good self-esteem and the desire to learn.
You want your child to do well in school. So do we. Let’s work together to make it happen. We’ll do everything we can to communicate with you openly and honestly about your child’s progress, school rules, and anything else you want to know. Don’t hesitate to contact teachers and other school officials when you have questions or suggestions. Your opinions are important. After all, you know your child better than anyone.
As A Volunteer, You Could...
- Offer to do a short-term, one day project
- Volunteer at home on classroom projects
- Drive on field trips for your child’s class or others
- Be a computer assistant
- Share your skills: poetry, reading, carpentry, photography, sewing
- Design a newsletter
- Be a guest speaker, sharing your career, hobby or a life skill lesson
- Tutor a struggling student one hour per week
- Mentor a discouraged student one hour per week
- Mentor a gifted or very creative student one hour per week
- Work in the library/media center
- Be a classroom or clerical helper
- Telephone parents who are not involved
- Assist with the science, economic and other school fairs
- Organize a school activity or club
- Be a guest reader
- Consider classroom partnerships and department level partnerships for smaller businesses
- Encourage volunteering among your friends, family, civic club and church associates
- Start/maintain a business partnership program for your school
- Be an advocate for education issues in your community
- VOTE
Click here for more Volunteer information and application.
Other Resources
