Parents an Elem. Principal's Perspective: Why

WORKING WITH PARENTS
AN ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL'S PERSPECTIVE

Working with Parents—Why It's Important

For more information, read School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action by Joyce Epstein, 1997.

Educating elementary students is a big job; we can't do it without parents. The undertaking of educating elementary children is huge; the school can not do it alone. If we are to successfully help elementary children to grow academically while attending to their social, emotional, and physical needs, we need to engage their parents in meaningful ways. Joyce Epstein, who directs the Center of School, Family, and Community Partnerships at the Johns Hopkins University, asserts, "Educators need to take the initiative. You can't just say, 'If we had parents involved in the school, we'd have higher student achievement'" (Rasmussen, 1998). Schools must find ways to encourage and celebrate parent participation.

Parents are their children's first and most important teachers.

Parents are their children's first and most important teachers. Parents are often surprised, but flattered, when this is acknowledged. It is also a humbling reminder to us as educators. Recognize and honor this revelation by posting signs throughout your elementary building proclaiming "Parents are their children's first and most important teachers." Thanks to word processing, copy machines, and bright colored paper, the elementary secretaries and you can do this at little cost. Post the signs for open houses, parent teacher conferences, and other events that bring parents into the building.

Create and flood the halls with signs that welcome parents and acknowledge their importance to their children's education. "Welcome! We are glad you are here. You are an important part of your child's education." Give every coworker in the building (yes, cooks and custodians too) a copy of each of the signs to post. You’ll be amazed and pleased as to where they appear. Parents will be reminded of their importance at every turn.

While you're thinking about signs, check the message parents read as they enter the building. Yes, for safety reasons, we want them to check in at the office, but let's also make them feel welcome. Think about adding a sign that says, "Welcome! We are glad you are here. Please let us know how we may help you!" Then along with the secretaries, sign your name.

As principals we set the tone. Our actions and words remind all school employees we are here to serve the children and their families. By making parents feel welcome and comfortable at school, we are taking the first step to encourage parents to participate in their children's education. Your smile, your handshake, the way you greet parents sets the model for everyone. You are setting the standard when your coworkers see you are willing to go the extra mile to include parents in their children's education. In the next sections we will talk about common sense ways of working with parents of elementary children in order to successfully partner with them in their children's social, emotional, physical, and academic growth.

Working with Parents...an Elementary Principal's Perspective