Often times parents have a mind set that once a child graduates from elementary to middle school, parental involvement in school activities disappears. Nothing could be farther from the truth, as this is a time when your child really needs your involvement and encouragement. Sure she is getting more mature, but there are still many times that she needs to know you accept her behaviors and approve of her choices.
Seeking Out Opportunities
How does parental involvement change from elementary to middle school? Basically, you can't expect the school to be calling you asking for help. Most middle schools do not have formal programs for parental involvement, as you found in elementary schools. It is the parents responsibility to find ways to be involved in your child's school.
Being Involved in School
As opposed to elementary school, your child will likely have multiple teacher's throughout the day for different subjects. The school will likely be larger and the schedules more difficult to get used to. After a short period of transition time, though, these concerns will dissipate. Tips for keeping on top of things at your child's school include:
- Getting to know more than just one teacher. Try to meet with each of your child's teachers and at least get to know what their expectations are from the class. This will help keep your child on target, and you will not be confronted with any surprises.
- Reading school policies. This will help avoid daily issues with outfits your child wears and what kinds, if any, electronics are allowed, etc.
- Keeping an eye on your child's school record every year. Parents do have the right to request to see their child's records, though many parents do not realize that.
The Benefits of Volunteering
When you take an active role in your child's school, you are boldly making the statement to your child that school is important. In fact, it is so important that you are going to spend some of your time making sure that your child's education is the best it can be by actively participating where you can.
As a result you might expect your child's grades to be higher because of a greater sense of pride in her school work. You may also expect that the school, as a whole, will run more efficiently because of parents who care enough to pick up the slack where needed and see that programs are run smoothly and timely.
Support on the Home Front
Working parents do not always have the flexibility to attend school programs during regular school hours. But, this does not mean that your involvement comes to a halt because of this. There are things you can do at home, including:
- Encourage homework completion by finding the right time that is suited to your child's needs. Perhaps they do best to get it done as soon as they get home from school, while others might be more productive after dinner when things are quieted down.
- Gain information from your child about school on a daily basis. Ask if there are any messages from teachers or administrators that you need to know about.
- Spend quality time with your child, listening to her concerns and worries, as well as celebrate the achievements she had made during school. You are still the most important role model in your child's life, and how you react (or don't react) to situations speaks volumes to your child.
Try not to feel upset if your child expresses to you that she doesn't want you to come to her school. She is trying to be more independent, and having a parent in school can embarrass her a bit. Oh come on, you remember feeling the same way, right? Don't let this stop you from being involved either. In the long run, the benefits of parental involvement in school is a win-win situation all the way around.
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