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In what practical ways do you and/or your school currently support parents? What benefits have you seen from this?
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We have a system that lets the parents know when assignments are missing or incomplete so they can help their students get the work done. We also layout our lesson plans for the course so that they know what was discussed and how to lead their student to make up work if they are sick or miss school.
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The most common way that we support parents is providing reduced tuition when parents/families can contribute. For example, parents will clean classrooms, work sporting events, and be classroom aides for elementary levels. The parents who do this feel more connected and more comfortable with teachers. It is easier to build a relationship with them when you bump into them (instead of reach out about performance or behavior issues).
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I believe the most support parents receive at our school is really from their child’s individual teachers. We work hard to be very good communicators and encouragers to parents. It may seem insignificant, but communicating small things such as assignment due dates and giving helpful information with advance notice as much as possible is a way to support parents. People lead very busy lives these days and being respectful and honoring of time is a way to support them. We also have a very active Parent Teacher Fellowship. They continually look for ways to connect parents and teachers. Our school also looks for ways for us to serve together in our community. This bring parents and teachers together building relationships and getting to know one another better. This is beneficial for all of us. It builds our relationship with parents, we get to know one another better, and we create a sense of community and partnership. Our students then receive the ultimate benefit of many adults partnering together for their success.
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I have worked as a student teacher and a substitute teacher, so I may not necessarily have the exposure that other teachers have in being able to properly answer this question. The school I have substituted for and gotten to know very clearly has a strong relationship with parents. I have seen parents visit students during the lunch hour, and I have also talked to parents whose children attend the school. They have joyfully expressed their appreciation of the school and teachers, which lets me know that they have good relationships with the teachers. The parents know that they are, likewise, appreciated, welcomed, and encouraged to be part of their child’s education. I see a school where parents and teachers work synergistically, and the benefits are, no doubt, profoundly positive for the children. The students see that the adults in their lives are on the same page and that they care. I believe this ultimately boosts their confidence in their studies and allows them to see God’s will and design in action.
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Our school has a parent teacher fellowship that plans lots of activities to build relationships with parents through the school year. They help do things for the school and the parents do a lot to encourage teachers. I see this as building community. I feel like teaching is so much better when I have an open relationship with the parents because the three of us–parent, child and teacher–work together to support the student’s learning. We are stronger together.
I get information from the parents at the beginning of the school year to help me know the child and understand the family. I also try to communicate regularly with the parents, keeping them informed on what we are doing in course and how each student is progressing.