Engaged Adults, Successful Students
SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENT’S SUCCESS THIS SCHOOL YEAR
Back-to-school season is ramping up across the Heart of Texas. Amid school supply shopping, schedule transitions, and end-of-summer celebrations, it’s a busy time for families. A strong start to the school year is important—and often daunting.
Feelings of excitement and anticipation are often mixed with anxiety about the demands of the coming school year—for both students and their grown-up family members. For parents and caregivers, supporting their children’s success in school can feel overwhelming. We know from research and experience that parent (and caregiver) involvement in their child’s education has significant, positive impacts on student success. While truly engaging in our children’s education often feels much easier said than done, there are so many ways to get involved and stay connected.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
Meaningful engagement in your child’s education starts with building positive, collaborative relationships. Getting to know your student’s teachers and connecting regularly with your child about their experiences at school are the best place to start!
Parent-Child Connection
Connecting meaningfully and routinely with your child is the most impactful thing a parent or caregiver can do. Nurturing and safe relationships between young people and their grown-ups are predictive of success even beyond school. Forming these connections doesn’t always come naturally, though. If you’re looking for ways to connect with your student this school year, check out our blog post, Small Moments, Big Impacts!
Parent-Teacher Partnership
Positive, collaborative relationships between parents and caregivers and their child’s teachers are essential to student success. Speaking with local educators, there are several ways that parents and caregivers can develop strong partnerships with teachers to support their student’s growth and learning at school and at home!
Attend “Meet the Teacher” or Open House events. Attending these start-of-school events with your child are a great way to introduce yourself to your child’s teacher(s) and start building relationships.
Find out the best way to communicate with teachers. Every school and teacher has different tools, resources, and preferences for communication. Some teachers connect with parents and caregivers primarily through email. Others use communication tools that link to an app, website, or text messaging to connect. Ask your child’s teacher the best way to get in touch, and then use those methods to keep in contact regularly with updates from home or questions about your child’s progress.
Ask how you can support teachers in the classroom. Local teachers have shared that parents and caregivers who show a desire to support their work in the classroom tend to form more effective partnerships that benefit their student’s success. If you’re able, ask your child’s teacher if there are any supplies needed for the classroom and offer to provide them. If this kind of support isn’t something you can offer, ask how you can volunteer your time for class celebrations, field trips, or school events.
Ask how you can support your student at home. Teachers in our community also shared that meaningful partnership goes beyond supporting students in the classroom. Ask your child’s teacher what you can be doing at home to support your child’s learning at school. They may be able to give you some simple activities to do together during your normal daily routines. This also shows your child’s teacher that you desire to collaborate together and keeps communication open and flowing.
USE YOUR VOICE
For parents and caregivers looking to get involved in shaping their child’s school experiences, joining a district-level or campus-level group can be a great place to start. Learn more about these committees and organizations, and consider joining this school year. Local education systems need the voices of parents, caregivers, and community members to ensure that student needs are being met!
Site Based Decision Making Committees
Site based decision making (SBDM) committees are district-level and campus-level organizations that allow teachers, parents, and community members to have a voice in the decisions that impact their work, family, and community. Texas state law requires that all Texas school districts have SBDM committees to help drive decision making and ensure the continuous improvement of local education systems. These committees are an excellent way to get formally involved in shaping your child’s educational experience and opportunities! Parents, caregivers, and community members can find information about your local district’s SBDM committee(s) on the district’s website.
Parent-Teacher Organizations
Parent-teacher organizations in Texas sometimes operate as a chapter of the Texas PTA or as independent, local groups. Either way, these (often campus-specific) groups provide parents and caregivers opportunities to get to know their child’s teachers and shape the activities and culture of their child’s school. Information about local parent-teacher organizations can usually be found on the local school district’s website.
Your engagement in your child’s education and school environment makes all the difference in the world for their success. While busy schedules and family obligations may not allow for participation in every school event or campus organization, forming positive relationships with your student’s teachers and finding ways to get involved is an excellent way to help your child start the school year strong!
