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Family Involvement in Seattle Public Schools |
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Family Involvement
Tips
Seattle Public Schools
welcomes families and community members to become involved in the
education of the children we share. Families can be involved in
many ways. Here are some of the most important.
Volunteer
Support Learning at Home
Volunteer
Ways to Volunteer
Family and community volunteers enrich the learning environment in
schools and get a variety of personal rewards in return. Volunteers
meet new people, explore new careers, experience personal growth,
learn new skills, establish relationships with students and school
staff and, above all, make a difference in our
lives.
Besides the
traditional volunteer roles in schools —Classroom volunteer,
parent group member, room parent, field trip or school party
chaperone, fundraiser, etc., there are a number of volunteer jobs
available for families and community members in all Seattle
schools. We encourage you to assess your interests, skills, and
personal time and find a meaningful way to participate in our
schools.Here are some creative ways to help:
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Become a Volunteer
Coordinator at your school –help recruit and train other
school volunteers.
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Share stories and
customs from your country and culture. If you are bilingual,
volunteer to be an interpreter and/or translator for other
families.
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Transport families to
school meetings.
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Assist school staff in
the planning and organization of school activities.
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Teach students and
staff how to cook food from other cultures.
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Help create and update
school bulletin boards.
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Teach English language
classes for parents from other countries.
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Coordinate work for
parents to do at home.
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Organize grade-level
family gatherings at the school.
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Assist the school in
organizing and maintaining a family phone-tree.
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Serve as the school
researcher –help them find educational materials,
enrichment programs, funding and other resources.
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Tutor or assist
students with reading, math, writing, technology, etc.
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Be an advocate for
your child’s school. Tell your community about the impact of
their work in student achievement.
However you decide to
help, make it fun. Getting involved in the life of the school can
bring joy and fulfillment and can inspire others to join in!
Top
How to Volunteer
Contact your school or a school of your choice (Link to list of
schools) and ask for information or to be connected with the
school’s Volunteer Coordinator. Visit our website: www.seattleschools.org/area/vol
8 Simple Rules
to Volunteer
1) Ask questions -
Discuss with school staff the specific tasks or projects you can do
or that are needed, the days and times that are mutually
convenient, who would you work with, and were will you be
placed.
2) Share your skills and talent - Are
you a computer expert, creative writer, accomplished cook, speak a
foreign language fluently or play a musical instrument? Let school
staff know the different ways you can help.
3) Get training - Are there meetings or
training sessions for volunteers at your child's school? Read the
PTA newsletter, call the school office or ask the teacher about
this possibility.
4) Learn the school rules - Observe and
remember school and classroom rules and guidelines so you can
direct students and parents if needed. Ask school staff if rules
are not clear.
5) Keep the school informed - Your work
is important to the school, If you can't make it to volunteer at a
specific time, let the school or teacher know as soon as possible
so they can make other arrangements.
6) Maintain confidentiality - If you
overhear anything personal about a student, keep it to
yourself.
7) Be flexible - Be prepared to do what
needs to be done when you arrive at the school. You might have been
told you would help with a particular task but another job may have
become an immediate necessity.
8) Have fun! - enjoy the opportunity to
support education and contribute to the success of all
children.
Top
Support Learning at Home
Children learn during school hours and continue to
learn for as long as they are awake, wherever they happen to be.
Supporting your child’s job as a student at home and in the
community let’s your child know that you value
learning.
Make Learning a Family Priority
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Provide a quiet
atmosphere for homework. Schedule a daily “homework
time” that’s not too close to bedtime. Make sure the TV
is turned off.
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Understand the methods
and terminology your child’s teacher uses. Try to use the
same approach when you help with homework. If you’re not
sure, contact the teacher.
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Let your child find
the solution for problems, if at all possible. Give guidance, not
answers.
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Reward hard work on
homework and at school with an outing, a special dinner, a book or
other treat.
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Ask your child
questions as you read together: Can you tell me what happened in
your own words? Why did the character do that? What will happen
next?
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If your child is
struggling, don't wait to ask the teacher for extra help or to find
a tutor. Do it before the child falls far behind.
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Attend classes that
interest you and let your child know you value
learning.
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Read every day, with
your child or as a family activity for a minimum of 20
minutes.
Top
Homework
Tips
Research shows that when parents and family members monitor and
assist their children with schoolwork, students succeed
academically. The best way to support homework completion is by
creating consistent guidelines and offering continuous support at
home. Monitoring and assisting with homework also helps families be
updated on what is being taught at the school, find out if students
are working at grade level.
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Set a consistent
homework schedule: same time every day. Keep in mind that students
need a snack and some “down time” at home before
tackling schoolwork.
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Encourage your student
to complete the homework alone and only ask you for help with what
he or she does not understand or needs to practice such as
multiplication tables.
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Establish a rule: No
TV until homework is completed.
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Provide homework space
that facilitates learning and in an area of the house where there
are no distractions. Provide a table, adequate light, paper, pens,
and make sure that there is plenty of drinking water and
appropriate snacks around.
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Be around the house at
homework time so that your student can ask questions.
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Review the finished
homework but refrain from re-doing it or correcting it so that the
teacher can see your student’s work.
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Make an effort to meet
your student’s teachers and find out how to keep in touch
with them.
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Get to know the
parents of other students in the same grade and compare notes about
homework and student learning.
Create a Home
Environment that Supports Learning
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Be very selective
about television watching and video game playing.
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Pay attention to the
programs and games and the total time your child spends with
each.
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Send your child to
school on time, rested, well fed and appropriately
dressed.
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Create a consistent
bedtime schedule.
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Encourage your child
to talk about feelings, accomplishments and problems. Listen
actively, reflecting back what your child tells you.
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Read books or compare
notes with other parents to understand the abilities and behavior
of a child the age of yours.
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Challenge your child
to do well at school. Make your expectations high but
reasonable.
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Let mistakes be OK as
long as the child learns from the experience.
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Model honesty, and
teach your child right from wrong at an early age.
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Visit the library,
museums and educational and cultural events. Find ways to involve
your child in music, sports, a new language or other
activity.
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Talk directly to your
child about your values, expectations, and about drugs, alcohol and
tobacco.
Top
For more ideas
on how to become involved in your child’s academic life,
explore the pages below:
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