Published
November 29, 2012
Parent volunteers have long played a vital role in public schools. From serving on the
PTA to
planning the class party, parents that give of their time, energy and talents are often responsible for making the public school system what it is for the students. However, few parents who immerse themselves in class volunteer projects realize the far-reaching benefits those few hours provide. Check out these 10 ways parental involvement improves school performance for the students and the schools themselves.
Positive Early Start
Parents are the first teachers children have, according to a report in the Tahlequah Daily Press. This gives parents the unique opportunity to positively influence students before the first school bell ever rings. By tackling those early learning issues head-on, parents are also better prepared to get involved with their children’s schooling once they head off to public schools.
“There is an obvious difference in children who have participated in activities from an early age,” Susan VanZant, the principal at
Greenwood Elementary School in Oklahoma, told the Daily Press. VanZant added that the advantages can continue if parents remain in contact with the teacher throughout their child’s schooling.
“The teacher is always the first go-to person, especially with questions about curriculum,” VanZant explained. Teachers can also be the best contact for questions about discipline, behavior and social issues, unless another school employee is specifically appointed for this purpose. For example, Greenwood Elementary has a parent liaison that is specially trained to work with parents on these matters.
Higher...
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Published
November 03, 2012
Making the move from middle school to high school can be a traumatic transition for some freshman. The changes involved in that move can be overwhelming at times, whether they are social, academic or physical. Suddenly, students that were guided through the academic process by parents and teachers are expected to perform much more independently than ever before. At the same time, high school is often a period where friendships change, as students struggle to figure out where they belong. The good news is that there are plenty of ways parents can help their new high school student adjust to the transition.
Understand Potential Stressors
According to well-known pediatrician
Dr. Paul, there are many factors that can cause stress at this time of life, including:
- Changes to school structure, including more teachers, larger school building and faster pace
- Changes to body image, as students begin attending school with others who are basically young adults
- Changes in friends, as students head to different schools and different classes than those they grew up with
With these changes come fear – fear of not fitting in, not keeping up and not measuring up to parental expectations. While many students may not voice these fears to their parents, that doesn’t mean the anxiety doesn’t exist. Parents need to tune into potential stressors in their child’s life during this time, so they can proactively help the child work through those anxieties and concerns.
Provide Reassurance
Once parents understand the factors that contribute to the stress of the high school transition, they...
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Published
October 06, 2012
Homework is the opportunity for children to practice the skills that they are learning at school at home. It gives parents the opportunity to assess how their child is doing in school and to give extra help when needed. Homework also provides students additional time to fully research and grasp important concepts.
Getting Homework Help
If you are having a difficult time solving a problem or finding the answer to a question there are several resources you can turn to. You may want to begin by asking an adult for help with your homework. Another resource is to look online to find the answers. There are several online sites that offer free tutoring help whenever you ask.
Search First! The Answer May be Right in Front of your Nose
Students often overlook obvious places to find the answers and solutions to the problem. Before you turn to online sources check your textbook for your answers. Carefully reading the assigned chapters can often help you find the information. Another great source is doing a quick search on the Internet.
Found Answer Online, How Do I Know If It's Right?
It is important to carefully consider your online sources when you are doing research. Sites that end in.gov and .edu tend to be more liable than other sources. News sources are generally accurate, but should...
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Published
October 04, 2012
Your kids will get better grades if you are involved at school! A 2008 study from the
University of New Hampshire indicates that students perform much better academically if their parents are involved in the school. However, that news can create more stress for already busy parents that are trying to juggle full-time jobs and child-rearing simultaneously. The good news is that there are many ways to get involved in your child’s school without taking time off from work or further taxing an already packed schedule. Check out these 10 ways busy parents can make a positive impact at their children’s schools.
Consider a Parent Club
Consider membership in the
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or similar group at your child’s school. Parent groups typically meet one evening a week or month to accommodate a busy work schedule. They are often involved in many of the all-school activities and stay abreast of the latest happenings within the school, according to
Great Schools. PTA members get to know many of the school staff and play a role in the success of the school overall.
Sponsor a Student Club
Student clubs may also meet in the late afternoons or evenings, and they are generally looking for adult sponsors. High schools need parental help for sports teams, music and theatre productions and other types of after-school clubs. Even elementary and middle schools might offer extracurricular activities at a convenient time for your schedule, and in a subject where you can offer some expertise to...
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Published
August 23, 2012
Once the flurry of
back to school time has settled, many parents are faced with the challenging task of keeping their kids in the homework mode. Homework battles are a common issue during the school year, and some parents and students have more difficulty with this academic necessity than others. Since homework is here to stay for the large majority of students, it can be very beneficial for parents to learn how to help their children make the most of their homework time. While we shared
10 helpful homework tips before, here are 10 more homework strategies that help students make the grade.
Make Sure Their "Office" is Well Stocked
Think about what work environment is most productive for you. Is it a quiet place, free of distractions and stocked with all of the supplies you need, right at hand? For a child, homework is their "work," and you can duplicate the same productive features for your child's office. Typically, children need a quiet, well-lit place to tackle homework assignments, where all the supplies they need are within arm’s reach. This area can be in the child’s bedroom, family office, or even a corner of the kitchen if that works the best. Supply a desk light, paper, writing utensils and any other supplies your child needs on a regular basis.
Establish a Schedule
Homework is done best when it is completed at the same time of day whenever possible. This means your family should set aside a specific time frame for...
read moreRecent Public School Articles:
Published
June 07, 2013
Summer loss is a real phenomenon that can be easily avoided, as long as children keep their minds sharp in the warm months. Use these 10 tips to help your student retain all they learned through the year.
10 Tips for Surviving Summer School
For students who must make up classes in summer school, or simply want to get ahead of the game, there are simple ways to make the class time easier to handle. Check out these survival tips if you are summer school bound.
Tuition-free Online High Schools
Learn how you can attend a tuition-free online high school accredited by your state.
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