| Statistics have shown that children with at least one | | | | These are offices that do not require a lot of outside |
| parent involved in their education are more likely to be | | | | work, other than a monthly meeting. The meetings are |
| successful in school. In today's society, that | | | | typically in the evening and provide you with a much |
| responsibility usually falls upon the mother. Just look at | | | | needed insight to the activities of the school, with |
| your child's PTA. How many men volunteer for PTA | | | | access to key people. i.e. school principal |
| president? (OK, a few, but what is the % of the | | | | 8. *Attend your child's school evening activities |
| board?) | | | | performance. ALL OF THEM, if at all possible |
| If you are a working mom, you already have enough | | | | These are important events in your child's life that will |
| on your "To-Do List", without adding #10 - Volunteer in | | | | be remembered. Let your child know, that even though |
| Susy's classroom today". | | | | you can't be in the classroom, his events are important |
| Working Moms already have a many responsibilities, | | | | to you. |
| and with the responsibilities comes guilt for not doing it | | | | 9. *Attend your child's Teacher Conferences Make |
| all. As a working mom, you want to be in two places | | | | sure that you have communication with your child's |
| at once - at work and with your child. It is a difficult | | | | teacher. they understand you are a working parent, |
| choice. As a mother, you want to be available for your | | | | they are too. However, your child needs to know that |
| child, especially when it comes to his/her education. | | | | you talk to their teacher. It shows support for the |
| Yet, you don't always have time to volunteer in the | | | | teacher and for your child's education. |
| classroom or go on field trips. Here are 10 simple ways | | | | 10. *Spend 15 - 30 minutes a night talking to your child |
| you can volunteer without sacrificing a lot of time from | | | | about school |
| your day. | | | | This can be done when driving home from after |
| 1. Ask your child's teacher if you can correct papers at | | | | school care or while cooking dinner. Ask your child |
| home? Teachers need help correcting spelling tests, | | | | questions, but not the regular - "How was school?". |
| cutting out pictures for art projects or other weekly | | | | The answer will be fine, and don't be fooled, it wasn't |
| assignments. These things can be done from home. | | | | but they aren't telling you. |
| Your child can bring them home for yo and then you | | | | Try these 5 questions, and see how much more yo |
| can have her return them the next day. This not only | | | | will learn about your child's day and how much more |
| helps the teachers but allows you a little insight to what | | | | yo feel a part of what they did at school that day. |
| is happening in the classroom. | | | | *"Tell me something funny that happened at school |
| 2. Volunteer to provide paper products (cups, paper | | | | today" |
| plates, napkins) for class activities. Many activities | | | | *"Tell me the most interesting thing that happened at |
| require additional supplies that the teacher must | | | | school today" |
| provide. Offer to donate these supplies as needed. | | | | *"What book did you read in class today?" or "What |
| You can just add them to your grocery list throughout | | | | book is the teacher reading in class?" "Can you tell me |
| the year. | | | | about it?" |
| 3. Offer to make posters for the PTA /School | | | | *"What math problem did you have the most challenge |
| fundraiser This is always a welcomed offer. This is | | | | with today?" or "What math problem was the easiest |
| something that both you and your child can do and it | | | | for you to do today?" |
| can be done at home, on the weekend. The school or | | | | *"Who did you eat lunch with today?"There are many |
| PTA will even provide the supplies. | | | | more questions and variations of these questions and |
| 4. Offer to email parents about upcoming class and | | | | the list could go on and on, however, the point is, |
| school activities | | | | change up the question and don;t accept "fine" as the |
| Parent communication is so important, and emails are | | | | answer. |
| the newest and fastest way to inform parents. | | | | BONUS - Read to your child every nightThis is crucial |
| Emailing can be done from home and allows you to be | | | | to the success of every child and all parents can do it. |
| aware of activities as well. | | | | As your child gets older, just read together. Share the |
| 5. Offer to bring water for outdoor activities | | | | books you are reading and encourage each other. |
| Jog-a-thons, Field days, P.E. - there are many times | | | | Reading is the key to educational success. |
| that schools have functions outside and the students | | | | Being a part of your child's education is one of the |
| need water. Offering to provide the water helps | | | | most important thing you can do as a parent. |
| everyone and continues to support these crucial | | | | Sometimes it is a challenge. Working Moms, whether |
| physical activities for students. | | | | by choice or circumstance, have a difficult time trying |
| 6. Offer to provide cookies or other baked activities | | | | to juggle it all. But there are ways to set an example |
| for the PTA/School Carnival This is another option that | | | | of how important education is for your child by being a |
| can be done with you child - either by baking it or | | | | part of it. It is not quantity, but quality that matters. Just |
| buying it. Either way, it includes you child. He/she will be | | | | know that your child is watching you and learning by |
| very excited when their item is chosen. | | | | your example. Start setting the example today! |
| 7. Run for PTA Secretary/Auditor/Parliamentarian | | | | |