Pastor Rainey
I am especially pleased to share the comments of Rev. Dr. Katie Haynes, who pastors a church in this community. Pastor Haynes is especially qualified as both a parent and a pastor who encourages her congregation to be engaged in the education of children in our community.
Rev. Dr. Haynes wrote:
In the world we are living in today, it is very important that we as parents get involved in our children’s school and their lives. You may ask the question what can I do or what is family engagement?
Well I’m glad you asked. Family engagement is communicating and doing things with your children’s teacher, or school to support your children’s or child learning success. Parents, family members and other caregivers can be engaged in the students’ education in many ways.
Call the schools on a regular basis, at least three times a week; it’s your child’s education at stake. Be concerned!
I have raised three beautiful daughters who are all very successful college graduates. To God is the Glory!! I was engaged in their school making calls, a lot of calls, stopping by, checking up on them and talking to their teachers. I also adopted a son who will be graduating next year (2015). I gave his teachers my personal cell phone number and I have theirs. Keeping up with your children’s academics and behavior is important. So, yes, family involvement is essential today, grandparents, uncles, aunts, everyone can play a role in the child’s education.
Here are some ways you can get involved at home:
- Talk to your child or children about homework and offer to help them understand and learn.
- Talk with your child about the importance of learning.
- Talk to your child about college and careers.
- Help your children organize homework.
- Read all notes, announcements and newsletters from your child’s school.
There are also some things you can do to engage with the school:
- Attend parent orientation or back to school night
- Visit the school resource center.
- Talk to the principal about your child and about being involved at school.
- Attend advisory committee to provide impute on important decisions.
- Help write and review the parent involvement plans.
What can we as parents do in the classroom?
- Talk with your child’s teacher.
- Visit and see what the teacher and students are doing.
- Help with learning activities.
- Attend the student/parents conference.
