Parent Advocacy Plan

Jennifer Martin

Mission StatementOur mission is to increase parental and community

involvement in the education of students. This will promote the cognitive, social, physical and emotional well-being of all students. This will also help unite us in our diverse and global community and classroom.

Start of the YearMeet the parents right away, Institute a Meet and Greet

Program in your school. This can include:General information nightsWelcome events for new parents

Provide parents with opportunities to get involvedCareer DayRead to classParticipate in Arts and CraftsCome to see child performPTA

Make yourself availableBe sure to give parents your contact information: phone and emailEncourage them to contact you if they have any questions or needs

Parent Teacher CommunicationParent Conferences - Respect the fact that not

everyone follows the same traditional schedule Be available in evenings if neededHave a translator availableProvide child care Tell of upcoming volunteer opportunities

A weekly newsletterDetails on the week’s upcoming lesson plansSchool related eventsExtension activities parents can do with their children. Provide a place where parents can send feedback or

ask questions

Everyday ActionsAlways:

Say “Hello” and greet parents when they drop off and pick up their child

Invite them into the classroom Introduce them to other parents or teachersHave a welcoming, safe, stimulating

environmentNever:

Avoid or Ignore parentsSling insults or incite an argumentParticipate in gossip

Monthly ActionsOpportunities for Parents educational development

Adult literacy programsScience and math workshops

Informal progress reportsKeeps parents up to date on students progressCan help with an early intervention to any problems

“Breakfast with Buddies”Monthly breakfast social in your classroomDisplay student’s artworkPut out sign-ups for upcoming volunteer

opportunities

Additional Actions Parent Contact List – take every opportunity to

collect contact information, so that you can send reminders and updates.

Class Website – this would be a great way to really let parents see what their child is learning at school. It is also a great tool that parents can use while helping their kids with homework. Kids can use this to pull their parents into the classroom at home by showing off projects that are posted.

Know your community – be able to provide parents with a list of community resources or direct them to a person or agency that can help them.

Educators, parents and the community can accomplish great things when we all work together.

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results”-Andrew Carnegie

Resources