One of the best ways to help your child is by knowing his/her teacher. In an ideal world, teachers would visit your home and get to know your family and community. In reality, teachers lead very busy lives, and unless schools allow time for this activity, it is unlikely to occur. There are mountains of studies that indicate when a teacher knows more about a child’s home life, the child can learn better.

When home visits are not possible, why not bring the home to the school? There are several ways you can do this: one is to have your child write a short letter introducing the family and community to the teacher. Another is to create a short video explaining your interests outside of school and brief family history. One other is to invite the teacher to your home or community festival. Finally, you can send a note to the teacher expressing positive thoughts about your child’s schooling. Teachers, like their students, like to know when they are doing well, not only when you are unhappy with their teaching. The point is that you, as a parent, want to establish a trusting and open relationship with your child’s teacher. This will help your child be successful in school.
How to become involved in your child’s school

Parents can be involved as teachers by establishing a learning environment at home for the whole family. Parents can be supporters of education by volunteering at school and taking part in school activities that promote education. Parents can be advocates for their own child and for all children by urging state and local leaders to support better
programs and higher achievement. Parents can be decision makers by taking part in decisions about programs and staffing at the school.

Information about Parents Plus

Parents Plus is the Wisconsin’s Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) funded through United States Department of Education grant. The mission of Parents Plus, Inc. is to support the development of positive parenting skills and to increase parental involvement in Wisconsin schools for the purpose of improving student achievement.