The school-family partnership is necessary
In the past, there was a tendency to believe that families should leave the education of the children up to the schools. Families didn’t expect regular communication with the schools and if the school would contact them it was because there was a problem.
As we advance and learn from failed practices, we see that schools are now making an effort to bring the parents in. Research shows that parent/guardian participation is vital for student success in many areas like attendance, social promotion and academic achievement. Schools are now directed to work in partnership with the families to conquer student success as a group effort.
Change is difficult and school staff and families may experience feelings of rejection of these new practices, be uncomfortable and feel that boundaries are being crossed, or just find difficulty getting used to the new ways of education. But the walls separating families from the education of their children need to come down, and it is up to the families to close the gap and jump on board.
The teachers and administrators continue to be the educational leaders and the curriculum experts, but families are the child’s first educators and the experts on the child. Nobody knows your child better than you, and your input could be the piece of information that the teacher is missing to help your child be successful in school.
As a parent/guardian, consider yourself a vital participant of your child’s education. Attending the open house gives you an opportunity to meet the teachers face to face, to exchange contact information and to set up another time to meet if necessary.
Ask the teachers how you can be involved with their class or with your student. Many teachers distribute valuable information about how they like to run their classrooms, classroom rules and programs, and what is expected from students and families. Join in the effort to help your student achieve success!
(Sindy Filler is a longtime volunteer with the Libby School District.)