My son is entering Middle School this year (1100+ students) and the ways I plan to be involved and to involve others is:
1) Be involved in PTA/PTO. I started attending meetings this past year and am the incoming President.
2) The Principal has a 6th Grade Back to School Barbeque. A parent who does not have a 6th Grader will be there with a volunteer sign-up sheet and info about ways to help.
3) Offer to help at school organization fundraisers which are not driven by the PTA.
4) Write notes to my son's teachers offering to help and letting them know my availability and skills. Maybe they need help with copying or simple grading that can be done outside the classroom so the uncoolness of being in the classroom is prevented.
5) Offer to attend field trips or help at dances.
6) Have a booth at Back to School night and Open House...let parents know how they can help, and getting names of those who will help.
So that's my plan. I'll miss the everyday classroom contact I had in elementary school but am looking forward to seeing these kids I've known so long grow into teenagers.
I don't buy into the theory that middle school kids don't want their parents in school. My son has told he me doesn't care at all if I show up to help out at school. It doesn't mean he is going to kiss and hug me on the way by...but he is fine with my presence there. I truly feel it is because I was always there in elementary so he doesn't know any different. There is a core group of middle school parents in our district pushing for parental involvement in the middle school classrooms. It has always been policy to keep the classrooms closed to parents. We have a new principal who is also a middle school parent (at a different school) so she is very well aware of the cause we are fighting for. She has agreed to ask faculty to allow parents in to help students with flashcards or games during their 20 minute sustained silent reading time (right after lunch) and during their 9th period study hall. Each parent will work with only 1 or 2 students at a time. But it is a start. We are hoping to be an asset to the teachers and encourage further use of parents. Our biggest challenge seems to be the older tenured teachers who are reluctant to changing anything that isn't "broken".It is definitely a tough battle, but well worth the fight! Good luck to you!
HELLO,
I AM VERY NEW TO ALL OF THIS. I NEED IDEAS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT INVOLVMENT. SOME SAY IT'S NOT COOL FOR MOM'S TO BE IN SCHOOL. SO HOW DO INVOLVE FAMILIES AND STILL BE COOL?
