Parent/Family Involvement plays an important part in creating a successful learning environment for our children. A 2008 study from the University of New Hampshire found “that schools would need to increase per-pupil spending by more than $1,000 in order to achieve the same results that are gained with parental involvement.”
How does the PTA work to increase and encourage Parent & Family Involvement at East Side?
We focus on these main areas:
- Creating opportunities for families to be involved in their child’s school.
- Making all families feel welcome at school and events.
- Providing learning opportunities for parents that give them the tools to help their child succeed in school and in life.
It is not race, economic situation, or educational background that create student achievement; it is your presence that is so important. Please make time this year to attend a PTA or school event, volunteer in your child’s classroom or for a PTA committee, or just have lunch with your child at school. Let them know you think school is important by being involved in some way!
Please check out the links on this webpage that lead to various resources for parents and families. If you have questions or ideas, please contact the Parent/Family Involvement chairperson at parentalinvolvement@eastsideelementary.com
3 for Me!
THREE FOR ME… is a promise. A promise not only from you, but a promise to your child and a promise to our school. You promise to volunteer three hours of your time to your child by signing a Three for Me promise card. Whether it is making copies for a teacher, reading to children, filing books on the shelves, helping at a PTA event, or dozens of other opportunities, it’s all important and it all counts.
“A little goes a long way…” really means a lot when we look at the number of volunteer hours at the end of the school year.
PTA Bring Your Family to School Week
February 7-12, 2010
National PTA encourages local PTAs to invite their school’s families to school during the National Bring Your Family to School Week. East Side PTA celebrates in conjunction with Teacher Appreciation Week, so there are lots of opportunities for families to get involved! Talk to your child’s Room Rep to find out how you can help!
RESOURCES
“Be There” is an organization dedicated to helping parents to “be there” for their children. Check out their website for ideas and resources for parents and teachers. Find Parent Tips, Teachable Moments, Family Resources; share comments and stories, and more! www.bethere.org
Celebrate Calm is an organization that provides resources for parents of “intense” children – those with ADHD, OCD, behavioral issues, and more, but their tips and techniques work for all families hoping to reduce stress and anxiety in their lives.
East Side PTA hosted a Celebrate Calm workshop in November 2009, and over 300 East Cobb parents attended. Additional workshops are planned for February 2010 for teachers and parents.
East Side PTA has purchased the Celebrate Calm CDs and has them available in the Media Center for parents to check out, or you can purchase them directly from Celebrate Calm.
For more information and to register for their free e-newsletter, please visit www.celebratecalm.com.
More resources:
Georgia PTA www.georgiapta.org
National PTA www.pta.org
Homework Hints:
http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/5963-homework-hints-for-latchkey-kids
http://www.bingnote.com/blog/homework-hints-for-parents
Stop Bullying Now! www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/default.aspx