Be Cool At School

ages 2-5  ages 6-8 ages 9-12
Wherever you see this key, the activities have been carefully selected for the age groups listed.

Angela's mom is a big reader. As a book editor, hundreds of pages cross her desk every day. So what's the most important thing she reads all week? She'll tell you it's the children's stories she reads as a volunteer at Angela's school.

Getting involved at your child's school is one of the best things you can do to ensure their success. According to the National PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), when moms and dads take an active role at school, their kids tend to get better grades, show higher self-esteem, and are more likely to do well outside the classroom.

Volunteering your time not only shows kids how seriously you take their schoolwork, it also allows you to network with other parents, see teachers "in action," and better understand their lessons. There are communitywide benefits, too. Schools with a higher level of parental involvement often see improved curriculums and facilities, and find teachers have more time to actually teach.

a little help goes a long way
You don't have to head-up the local PTA or run a huge fundraiser to be an active participant. 15 or 20 minutes making photocopies, or a Saturday afternoon at the school fair, can do a great deal to enrich your child's school experience.

5 ways parents can be cool at school
Getting involved is easy and rewarding. Here are few suggestions:

1. gift of gab
It may seem obvious, but a simple "How was your day?" is one of the most important things you can offer. Knowing who your kids' friends are, their opinions about classes and teachers, and even what they had for lunch will give you a clearer picture of the school environment.

2. teacher's helper nights
One night each month, get together with other parents and take on a few tasks teachers might not always be able to accomplish. Create bulletin boards, organize class materials or map out a field trip.

3. creative scheduling
Parent-teacher conference in a classroom sound stuffy? Get creative! According to the National PTA, many parents are meeting at soccer practices and other school events they'd naturally be attending anyway.

4. share the love
Don't have time to run an after-school study group or club every single week? Pool your volunteer time with other busy parents who have similar interests and skills. Create a calendar and trade duties.

5. show what you know
Your professional or life experience may be what the teacher ordered. (Just look at Angela's Mom!) Are you a salesperson? You'd probably be great recruiting volunteers. Math whiz? Be a homework mentor. Run a business? There are plenty of PTA committees that could use your assistance. Whatever skills you possess, talk to the principal about ways of incorporating them into school life.

For more ways to connect and get involved at school, contact your Parent-Teacher Association, or visit www.pta.org
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