The
rate of parental involvement at school often declines when children enter the
middle grades. But it doesn’t have to, according to Mary Simon, author of How
to Parent Your Teenager.
Here
are some ways parents can participate after their children leave the elementary
ranks:
- Serve as a volunteer in the school office, library, hallways, or cafeteria.
- Listen to students read.
- Be a tutor.
- Share your hobbies, culture, or special skills with students.
- Help with clubs and activities. Organize and distribute sports uniforms, be a timer for debates, or teach students how to play chess.
- Chaperone field trips and dances.
- Support your school’s fundraising efforts.
- Contact sources of funding to help support special projects.
- Serve on school committees.
- Lead or support PTA efforts.
Simon
reports that her own involvement enriched her understanding of her son’s life
in junior high.
What
makes participation more difficult at these levels is the fact that students
often feel more independent and
sometimes act as though they don’t want their parents involved.
Don’t
fall for it. Deep down, young people are really pleased that their parents
still care enough to participate.
And
it’s a very good way to stay in tune with what’s going on.
