Family Involvement at Hawthorne:

Hawthorne school was founded on the ideals of strong community. We invite you to be involved in the education of Hawthorne children in as many ways as you can, they are the future! Additionally, research clearly shows that children benefit when families participate in their education.

• Achieve more and on a higher level.
• Have higher grades and test scores.
• Have better attendance.
• Complete homework regularly.
• Exhibit good behavior and positive attitudes.
• Will develop stronger language skills.
• Are more likely to graduate from high school, and enroll in college or other post-high school education.

Community Links:

OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction)

Seattle Public Schools

SPS Family Resources

Community Day School

Powerful Schools

Here are just some of the different ways that you can help out at Hawthorne:

• Get involved with Friends of Hawthorne (FOH).
• Become a room parent
• Attend field trips
• Assist teachers in the classroom
• Hand out books at the Book Fair and RIF Day
• Tutor a child
• Lead a book club
• Help in the office, library, or computer lab
  Supervise in the lunchroom or playground
• Attend Monday Morning Meetings

Additionally, we are always on the lookout for people with special skills to share with the students. Ask your classroom teacher or someone in the office about how you can help!

Visitors

You are encouraged to visit your child's classroom. Please report to the office first to sign in and pick up a visitor's pass. This is important for all the children's security and your own safety in case of an emergency. If you wish to see a particular subject, check with your teacher to get an idea of the best times.

Also, please remember that the teachers may not be able to talk with you during a drop in visit, as their responsibility lies first with students. If you wish to talk about your student’s progress or have questions, please make an appointment. If you have small children that you would like to bring with you, please check with your child’s teacher first. We cannot always accommodate small children in the classrooms without disrupting learning.

Encouraging Your Child At Home

If you aren't able to volunteer at school, remember there are many ways to support and enrich your child's education at home. You are always welcome to ask us if you are looking for new ideas, but here are just a few to get you started:

• READ! READ! READ! Read with your child, to your child, in the same room with your child, have them read to you! The more the better, but set a goal of at least 20 minutes a day.
• Check that homework is being done, understood (can they explain it to you?) and turned in.
• Create a home library of favorite books for you and your child.
• Play games with your child that require mathematical thinking, strategy, deductive reasoning, and problem solving, or that emphasize language skills (rhyming and word games)
• Provide crayons, paper, pencils, and other art supplies to encourage your child to create things at home.
• Emphasize good health habits - eating nutritiously, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly.
• Visit local zoos, museums, parks, libraries, or other places that encourage exploration and imagination.
• Talk with your child about math when you: follow a recipe, go to the bank, visit the grocery store, check the temperature.
• Share family cultures and traditions to enable your child to build a sense of self-worth and pride.
• Share your own favorite activities, sports, crafts, interests with your children!
• Best of all, talk with your children about their learning, questions, interests, challenges, and ideas and don't take "I don't know" for an answer!