Do you ever feel a disconnect between your child and their school? If so, you’re not alone. Many parents don’t fully understand everything happening in their child’s school. Between jobs, maintaining a household, and daily care for your child, you may have a lot going on. But if you’re interested in your child’s education, there are many ways to get involved.
I’m Joe Romano, school assembly presenter based in Virginia. I’ve used my talents to present fun and interactive assembly programs in schools across the Northeast for the last 30 years. My topics include school assemblies on Math, Science, Character Education, Reading, and more. My monthly blog includes articles just like this to help busy school administrators and parents.
Getting involved in your child’s school is easy. Because there are so many options, you can simply pick the ones that work best for you and your schedule. Below I have outlined several easy ways to get involved in your child’s education and school.
The fastest and easiest way to stay involved with your child’s education is homework. At the beginning of the school year, make it a point to keep track of what your child is working on throughout the year. And it’s best to get started right as school begins so you’re not trying to play catch up. When your panic-stricken child comes to you for help, you’ll have an easier time helping them if you already know what they are studying.
And getting involved right away gives you a chance to brush up on your own skills if you’re a little rusty! Some of the most well-intentioned parents lose sight of just how to do some of those math equations if they haven’t used those skills since they were in school.
Another great strategy for getting involved in your child’s school is meeting teachers. Some kids may be reluctant to share too much information. By going directly to teachers, you’ll have direct access to the most up-to-date topics your child is working on.
A key to meeting teachers is to do it early in the school year. Get to know them. Learn a little about their teaching style and expectations. And doing so before there is a problem will help you. The last thing you want to do is come out swinging at a teacher you’re meeting for the first time when there is an issue!
Finally, when you meet your child’s teachers, ask them how they like to interact with parents. Email phone, Zoom, or in-person meetings – there are many choices and your child’s teacher likely has their favorite.
Reading is a critical skill that can make or break your child’s success in education. It’s a foundational skill that all successful people need, regardless of their chosen profession. Want to get involved and make a difference in your child’s education? Encourage more reading.
I’ve written plenty about reading in other articles in my blog. But I’ll just hit on a couple of highlights here. First, lead by example. If you’re not reading for pleasure, pick up a book yourself. And you can turn reading into a family affair, too. Pick one evening a week and take the entire family to your local library. And don’t forget Summer Reading Program – it’s the library system’s biggest reading push of the year. Visit your local library and you’ll likely be amazed at all the cool stuff kids can get during the summer simply by reading more!
Want to really get involved? Volunteer for events at your child’s school. Even if you don’t have time to become a full-fledged member of the PTA or PTO, volunteering will help you get plugged into your child’s school.
Check out the school calendar. Look for interesting events that fit into your schedule. Contact the school’s PTA or PTO. (Hint: The school secretaries will have these contacts.) Reach out to these folks and ask what you can do to help. That’s it! Super simple, and your efforts will be warmly received by those in charge. Organizing special events takes a LOT of time and effort. And parent-teacher groups usually don’t have as much help as they need.
Earlier I mentioned how important reading is for your child’s success. And there is an easy and fun way to get every student at your child’s school excited about reading. All it takes is my magical assembly, “Books! The Magic is Real!” This reading school assembly is filled with magic, interactive fun, kid-friendly humor, and much more. Contact me today for more information!