15. Parents and Guardians: The most important part of a team

This we believe (NMSA, 2010).

* The school actively involves families in the education of their children. Family Involvement

I describe teaming as a triangle. I believe the best teams are made up of students, parents and guardians, and teachers. When a middle school team balances responsibility, care, and advocacy on all three elements of a team, great things can happen. We all have a role in helping middle school students be successful. Parents are particularly important.

Last night was 'Meet the Teacher Night'. Parents and caseworkers, guardians, and grandparents came to our school. In the cafeteria, parents met the PTO leaders and the school nurse. We are a full-service middle school. Guardians were given the cafeteria procedures, waivers to sign, and were greeted by guidance counselors and administration. Once they left the cafeteria, each team welcomed parents, gave them a "supply list" and common lists of rules and behaviors.

About one-third of my parents showed up. I gave their child a math book to take home and shared procedures for homework and quizzes. However, my focus was to establish a connection with each parent and the families of these students. I spoke individually with about 35 parents. Parents want the following:
1) They want to know that you as their teacher want to work with them and their child;
2) They want to know there is a chance for their child to be successful and to know what you as a team will do to ensure their child has opportunities for remediation and/or enrichment; and
3) They want to know how they will know how their child is doing

Based on last night's conversations, I believe we need to think about how we can capitalize on this "event." The draw for this was that students received their schedules and supplies lists. I would recommend the following:

1) Make Meet the Teacher a spaghetti dinner. Highlight activities and events students can participate in. Treat it as a celebration of the school community. 4:45 - 5:30.
2) Have a speaker who encourages parent/student relationships and student motivation 5:30 - 5:42 - someone from the community or district or the Teacher of the Year from the school.
3) Give parents "tips for middle school success" 5:42 - 5:50.
4) Send parents to children's homeroom for an orientation to what students' days will be like, how the team will contact parents, and fill out forms. 5:50 - 6:15.
5) Rotate the parents, with their child through the child's schedule (5 minutes per period - including the change of class, ring the bell) 6:15, 6:20, 6:25, 6:30, 6:35 - 6:40.
6) At 6:40 come over the intercom, tell them about Spartan Time (advisory, remediation/enrichment, club time), they should be back at their homeroom; thank them for coming.

Advice

1) For open house or any time a parent comes by: Create a form that has a place for child's name, parent/guardian, phone, email. (My team leader shared a copy of this with me.)

2) As a team, create a welcome newsletter complete with your email information. (We sat down as a team and updated last year's.)

3) Determine structures that will be consistent across team members (scheduled tests, read thirty minutes every night, homework expectations).

4) Provide a supply list (we asked students to bring in a ream of paper as part of supplies) and don't be afraid to have a wish list (Our chorus teacher asked for a keyboard and has been given two!!).

5) Think about how you will communicate regularly with parents. With email it is possible to keep in touch with a percentage of parents. In addition, there are "Parent Portals" that provide parents with students' grades and behavior information. Think about how to ensure all parents receive information. I gave students weekly progress reports when I was teaching. Consider your non-English speaking parents and how you and your team will communicate with them.