Life can be hectic, even more so once one becomes a parent. From the moment the baby is born, and Mom and Dad bring the baby home, their lives are changed forever. Fortunately, this change is usually for the better. Children have a way of reminding parents that their lives aren’t just about them anymore. They must do what they can to raise, protect, and nurture their little bundle of joy for at least the next eighteen years.
It also often seems that just when Mom and Dad think they have things figured out with their infants and toddlers, all of a sudden, it’s time for their child to start school! Where did all the time go?
One of the most important responsibilities a parent has is to ensure the proper and best education possible for his or her children. One key component of this is involvement with the school to promote excellence in academics, arts, and athletics.
Here are some of the opportunities that parents may pursue:
- Family Faculty Organization (FFO) (similar to the PTA: Parent Teacher Association)
This allows the parents to really get a feel for what is going on within their children’s schools, especially elementary schools.
- Site Council
This typically consists of parents, teachers, and the principal. Its duties will often vary from school to school. Sometimes it is very involved in the administration of a particular school, and sometimes it is an advisory body that lacks any decision-making authority. In my lone experience as a member of a Site Council, our main task was to organize and execute a day dedicated to promoting the joy and excitement of reading in an elementary school. It was fun!
- Booster Clubs
These are typically parent-led groups that work closely with various programs, usually at the high school level. These often include various sports and performing arts (like football, baseball, and the band). These are great opportunities to help out with extracurricular activities in which your child is participating.
- Attend Governing Board (Board of Education) meetings (or at least review the minutes of the meetings or watch the video recording if one is available).
While not most people’s idea of a fun night out, it is a great way to learn about the school district’s inner workings and stay abreast of topics that may directly impact your child. Since meetings are often video recorded, you can now stay abreast of things from the comfort of your own home. The minutes and other relevant documents are publicly available for review as well.
The more informed and involved the parents are in their child’s education, the greater the chances for their children’s success and excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts.
For more information about Catalina Foothills School District Candidates and Bart Pemberton, follow his Facebook & Twitter posts.