Getting involved in your child’s school can be as easy as bringing snacks or grading papers occasionally or as involved as being a room mother or a coach’s assistant.

Figure out how involved you would like to be and go from there.
Most teachers are thrilled to have your help and, more importantly, your support. By keeping in contact with your child’s teachers, you will understand more about what your child is learning and how the teacher is teaching. You will be able to better help your child succeed by being involved.

Getting started is as easy as opening your mouth.
At the beginning of the school year, let the teacher know that you are interested in helping out. It would be good to have in mind what sort of things you would be interested in doing. Do you like to grade papers, read out loud to the class, plan parties, or help with art?

Let the teacher know how interested you are in helping out.
Give her your name and phone number when you offer to help. Many teachers love to have parent-involvement in their classrooms, and this is a great way to get started.

Don’t feel that you have to do everything.
There are some mothers/fathers who have the time and ability to do it all for a teacher and others who don’t. Don’t judge yourself by others; do what you can, when you can and be satisfied with that. Going overboard will only cause you and your child stress. Don’t be afraid to say “no.” Other opportunities will come your way.
When your child reaches the secondary level, continue to volunteer if you can. In most situations, the high school level seems to have less parent involvement, but your children still need you and so do the teachers.

Hands-on volunteering is most important.
Involvement in the secondary level won’t include juice and cupcakes for every holiday party, but hands-on volunteering will be more helpful to the students and teachers. Some ideas would be tutoring, chaperoning dances and athletic road trips, and sharing your talents in a classroom setting. If your school has a booster club you can get involved with that group. The booster club supports and sponsors different activities like a graduation party, dance, or carnival. If you child is involved in a particular activity like cheerleading or band, there might even be a special booster club just for them.

Three, Two, One...Contact
If volunteering your time is not in your schedule, then make sure you can at least keep in contact with your child’s teachers. Try to keep in touch more often than just at the parent/teacher conferences that the schools hold. Know what your child is bringing home, help him/her with homework, and review and check it if it is already completed. A great support opportunity is to try to read the same books that your child is required to read. This is especially handy when your child is in high school. This way you can help your child understand what he/she is reading, and it gives you a great topic for conversation. You will also be able to see what is being taught in their classes. Beth Buhler (Lawrence 2nd Ward, Topeka, KS Stake) said that once the school board banned books that her children were required to read. She decided to see what all the fuss was about, and decided to read the books. She found this a great way to stay involved with her children’s education.

Volunteering your time in the classroom, front office, cafeteria, or athletic field of your child’s school is a wonderful motivator and self-esteem booster for your child. It is also good for you. Take the time and try to spend some time at your child’s school this year. Make it enjoyable and fun for yourself and for the children.