Getting to know your child’s teachers and coming to understand their
procedures and teaching style will help you support your child in his or her
academics. High school teachers are busy people, but they have time to talk
with parents about their student’s academic progress.
Attend all parent-teacher
conferences. Today, under the No Child Left Behind regulations, schools
are required to track student achievement, so when you go to the
conferences, you will see test scores as well as participate in setting
academic goals for your child. You will also have the opportunity to see
samples of your child’s class work.
Check in with teachers - even
if nothing is wrong. Again, just like when the kids were in elementary
school, check in occasionally to see if there’s anything you should know
or to ask how you can help at home. Teachers will appreciate knowing that
there is a supportive family unit at home for their student. You don’t
necessarily have to physically go to school either. You can check in
quickly via phone and often, via email.
Get Involved
Participating in your child’s high school activities is different than
participating when they were in elementary. You probably won’t be asked to be a
“room-mom,” but they always need volunteers for some committee or fundraiser.
It’s also a good way to network with your kids’ parents.
Join the Parent-Teacher
Association (PTA). Most every school in the country has some version of
this organization. The work they do impacts the entire school. Typically,
these groups are able to accomplish the work that teachers and
administrators would do themselves to improve schools if only they had the
time and resources available.
Join another committee.
Beyond the PTA, there are always lots of other committees and advisory
boards that are looking for parental involvement. Booster clubs and other
parent groups can be fun and their events may coincide with your child’s
activities, so you can be there for both purposes. See what’s available at
your school and choose something that is of interest to you.
Attend school functions. Even
if you can’t make every one of your daughter’s junior varsity basketball
games, do go when you can. And also be sure to go to as many of her other
events as possible. Watch her debate, see the school play and go to the
talent show. If your child isn’t involved in the school’s extracurricular
activities directly, see if they want to go watch the play with you. This
is still active parental participation in the school.