Being involved in your children's education helps them do well in school and improves the quality of your school.  Here are some suggestions on how to get started.  Find the time to get involved- it makes a difference!

1)     Let your child know that school is important.  Be sure to ask questions about homework and set up a quiet place for your child to work.

2)     Read everything that is sent home from school: report cards, homework assignments, school lunch plans and vacation and bus schedules.  Show your child that you are well informed.

3)     Get to know your child's teachers and school principal by attending school meetings and parent-teacher conferences.

4)     Ask for copies of school policies (e.g., attendance and discipline). If there is something you do not understand, ask questions.

5)     Volunteer to help with school activities.  Attend sports events, assist with fundraisers, or volunteer to work in the school office.

6)     Talk to other parents. If there is as parent organization, join it.

7)     Encourage your child to read at home.  Visit local libraries or used book mobiles, school libraries, or book fairs to pick out books together.  Pick out books for each other to read.

8)     Invite stepparents, grandparents and other adults who care for your child to participate in school activities.

Help your Child Stay Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug Free - What you say to your child about using alcohol or drugs makes a big difference.
 
1)     Talk to your child about the real risks of using alcohol or drugs.  If you are having a hard time getting started and need more information, get a copy of Keeping Youth Drug Free from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information 1-800-729-6686 or www.health.org

2)     Be a good role model for your child; don't take part in any illegal, unhealthy or dangerous drug use practices.

3)     Make parenting a priority.  Make rules for your child and enforce the rules.

4)     Help your child learn what to say if offered alcohol or drugs.

5)     Know who your child's friends are and get to know the friends' parents.

6)     Watch for signs of stress in your child and help your child learn how to deal with stress.

7)     Educate yourself.  Identify the different types of drugs, their slang names, the signs of use and their short and long term consequence.  

Homework is a regular part of school and you can help your child do it well.  Teachers give homework for many good reasons - to practice and review class lessons, to get students ready for the next lessons, to teach them how to work on their own and to teach them to use dictionaries, encyclopedias, libraries and the Internet.

1)     Set up a regular time and a quiet place for your child to work.  Try to place it away from TV's, radios or other loud noise.

2)     Have your child get all of the materials needed for the work - pens, pencils, erasers, calculator, paper, books and highlighters - all in one spot instead of searching for things.

3)     Make a homework calendar.   During the school day, have your child fill in all homework by the date that it is due.  

4)     If your child is having trouble with homework, talk to each teacher about the homework.  The school may be able to offer tutoring or extra help.

5)     If your child misses school, have a friend or classmate get homework assignments.

6)     Remember, neatness does count.

7)     Suggest that your child do homework, then take a short break (snack, play outside or watch some TV) then go back and recheck the work.  It's easier to catch simple mistakes with fresh eyes.

Educationally Yours,

Bill Delbrugge

Superintendent,
Flagler County Public Schools