| Type of Parent Partnership | Ideas for Parents | Ideas for Schools |
Parenting
Schools help parents create healthy home environments. |
Use teachers, counselors, and other school staff as resources when you have questions
Look for-and recommend-parenting books for the school to loan to parents
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Offer general parenting workshops
Send parents tipsheets on developmental issues and needs for their student's age
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Communicating
Schools and parents have ongoing communication. |
Don't wait for the school to call; check in when you don't hear
Take advantage of conferences and other chances to talk with teachers and other staff
|
Establish bilingual hotlines and other communication methods for parents
Give parents blanket permission to visit the school any time
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Volunteering
Parents serve as volunteers in the school. |
Talk with the school's volunteer coordinator about needs you could fill
Offer to be a professional resource to teachers in an area related to your occupation
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Send out postcard to parents to learn about their talents or interests
Recognize parent volunteers in your school newsletter or newspaper
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Learning at Home
Schools provide resources for helping children at home. |
Daily ask about what happened in school; talk about issues, concerns, and needs
Create and protect time and space for homework
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Provide homework assignments that involve parents or other family members
Communicate to parents expectations and opportunities to enhance learning
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Representing Other Parents
Parents become leaders and advocates. |
Participate in parent-teacher organizations or other advocacy groups
Advocate for putting the needs of students first in school planning and priorities
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Provide opportunities in the schedule to listen to parents-both at their initiative and yours
Develop advisory committees or other roles that could give parents a more active voice
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