What is Parental Involvement?

 A process of community action that enriches the entire educational spectrum.

	the home
	the school
	the community

What creates a strong partnership with parents?

	interacting with the school
	the school is interested in the family by making positive phone calls
	home visits
	orientation sessions at school where staff members and parents work cooperatively together

What happens when parents show an interest in school?

For the child:

	higher esteem
	increased motivation
	willingness to learn

For the parent:

	Gains confidence
	Awareness of a parent’s impact on a child’s development
	Gain information about school’s activities
	Understanding of the child’s learning behavior
	Observe the child with peers
	Involved with the child in the child’s own setting
	Classroom observation
	Reinforce school skills at home
	Meet other parents in the community

For the teacher:

Discuss the individual needs of students

Learn more information about the students

More communication with parents

Explain classroom materials and strategies being used

Better understanding about the community being served

For the school:

Increased effectiveness of school programs

Increased enrichments activities

Better communication between the home and school

Awareness of the needs of the parents and community

What activities contribute to a successful parental involvement program?

Classroom observations 

Classroom participation

Involvement in the total environment of the child

Who can volunteer?

Parents

Senior Citizens

Students

Working men and women 

Community people

Business community members

Volunteer Guidelines

Volunteers are guided by school policies, rules, and regulations, under the direction of a staff member.

Classroom work is always confidential. 

Keep the following points in mind; 

The teacher is a certified employee under the laws of the state and the district. 

School staff will supervise the volunteers. 

The teacher is responsible for instructions, safety, and discipline.

The school volunteers should work with staff members in a professional  manner. 

Confidentiality

In order to protect the rights of students, volunteers must remember to maintain confidentiality when working on a campus.  Principals and teachers have the authority to discipline a student, and the progress or behavior of students must not be discussed.

Environment

RISD has a smoke free, drug free environment.  Volunteers are expected to abide by these guidelines.

Sign In

Please sign the parental involvement sheets in the front office or in the P. I. Room as your report to your volunteer assignment or as you leave the campus.

Why Sign In?

To keep a record of who is working in the school and to know where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

Volunteer Badges

The badge is a clear identification as a school volunteer 

Teachers, school personnel, and other volunteers can recognize you 

You are very special and we want to recognize you

What are the Qualifications for School Volunteer?

Sign a volunteer consent form 

Enjoy working with children 

Have an interest in education and the community

Feel a commitment to the goals of the parental involvement program and the district 

Want to help

Be dependable and in good health

Safety Procedures

Do not lift anything heavy.  If you need something moved while assigned to a classroom, contact the office or head custodian.  If accident or injury occurs, notify your supervisor immediately.  An accident report must be filled within 24 hours.

Parental Involvement Staff