Parent-staff relationships are usually quite good, fortunately. Usually, teachers and principals welcome your involvement and input. It helps if you actively involve yourself in your children’s school.

Participation Of PTAs & PTOs 

It is great to provide the school with your help and input in an organized way through your involvement with the parent-teacher association (PTA) or parent-teacher organization (PTO). In these days of budgetary restrictions and two-job families, even a couple of hours a week of volunteer time is highly appreciated.

Volunteering In The Classroom 

There are parents who enjoy devoted time to their children each week, whether it’s reading, arts and crafts, or computer help. Let the teacher know early in the year if you are able to volunteer regularly in the classroom. Plan a time when the students will be able to attend the class, and are not out of class because of special education or band rehearsals.

Get Involved With Special Events 

Special events often require schools to prepare and provide refreshments. Make sure your volunteer efforts conform to the school’s or the teacher’s curriculum or philosophy. During a class party, the teacher may want you to bring healthy snacks to reinforce the nutrition education they are providing. Fruit platters may be preferable to cupcakes. Often schools will hold charity events. Then its usually down to the parents to come up with the School Fundraising Ideas. 

Field Trips

Children can use field trips as springboards for writing and discussions in the classroom and community. It gives them diverse experiences. Sadly, parents are needed to chaperone these excursions. It is likely that you will be responsible for a specific group of children when you volunteer. Please ask the teacher for as much notice as possible so you can plan your participation in these trips.

Tips When You Are Working Parents 

Attending school events where their children participate is a popular activity for parents. However, if an important school event is taking place and you simply cannot attend because of work or other commitments, ask someone else to attend. Whether its a grandparent, an uncle, or a friend they can provide moral support. Also hopefully they will even take photos for you to view later.

Policy-Making Involvement 

Another way that some parents are getting involved in the schools is through policymaking. Several schools have a “site council,” a parent advisory council, or a “Healthy School Team”. Each of which helps determine the school’s direction. The school board also needs candidates to fill its seats and volunteers to serve on special committees. In these roles they will examine issues such as curriculum and school safety.

Teacher-administrators relations, as well as relationships between enthusiastic parents and teachers, are sometimes strained. Parents can often be seen as being less than helpful when they advocate for programs or advocate for their own children, even when they are well-intentioned.

You can foster a productive relationship with the school by showing respect. Listen to the staff’s opinions, exhibit some flexibility, and find a compromise whenever you can. Try to work with the teacher and staff rather than taking an adversarial stance. Remember that both you and the school have the same goal – to educate your child.​