Help Your Child Succeed...

The best way to help your child succeed in school is to get involved.  Decades of research show that when parents are interested and involved a child achieves more. 

The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) offers a wealth of suggestions for helping your child succeed.  Check their website at www.pta.org .

Parent involvement results in:

1. Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
2. Better school attendance
3. Increased motivation, better self-esteem
4. Lower rates of suspension
5. Decreased use of drugs and alcohol
6. Fewer instances of violent behavior
7. Greater enrollment rates in post-secondary education

At Home
You can help your child succeed by providing a home that encourages learning and supports your child's physical, mental, and emotional development. When children feel good about themselves, are well rested, and well nourished they are more ready to learn. Something as simple as a good night's sleep and a good breakfast can make a big difference.

Read to your child.  Ask them about their school day, what they learned, what they liked and didn't like, and what kind of homework they'll need to do.  Help your child develop positive relationships with other children.  Encourage your child to develop their interests and seek out opportunities to try new things. Talk with your older child about your beliefs and values.  Take time to notice their strengths, talents, and interests, as well as areas where they need assistance. 

Communicate with teachers and the school.  Attend parent-teacher conferences, school events, and PTA meetings.  Send notes or e-mail messages to school staff to help foster good relationships that support your children's learning.

You can also help your child succeed by working with the school and other community groups that have an impact on your child.

PTA/PTSA
The mission of the PTA is to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children; To assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; To encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.  Check with your school or local PTA President to learn more.

Site Councils
Most schools have a Site Council comprised of parents, teachers, staff and community members.  They advise our principals and help create school improvement plans.  Check with your school principal or Site Council President to volunteer.

School Board
The school district is governed by an elective School Board of seven qualified citizens who hold office for terms of four years.  Elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in the month of November in odd numbered years.   The Duluth School Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM in Historic Old Central High School, 215 North First Avenue East.  Meetings are open to the public.

Volunteer Opportunities
Schools work with many area volunteer organizations including, but not limited to:

· Retired Senior Volunteer Program - reading and math volunteers
· Darland Connection/University of Minnesota Duluth - Tutors
· Foster Grandparents Program - reading, math and classroom assistance
· Men as Peacemakers - mentors for at-risk students
· VISTA - support for district curriculum.

Each school has individual volunteer needs.  Just a few examples:

· The Area Learning Center needs volunteers to tutor adults for whom English is a second language.  The center needs volunteers for language, math and reading.

· Several of our schools, including Stowe, Laura MacArthur and Grant, have a Reading Partners Program and seek volunteers to read with students on a regular basis.

· Lowell Elementary seeks volunteers to help on the playground, in computer labs, in the library.

· East High School needs parents for Site Council and PTSA, volunteers for tutoring, early morning library supervision, and hall supervision.

· Homecroft looks for classroom helpers, small group tutors, after and before school volunteers in our YMCA program and special project volunteers.

Check with your school principal for volunteer opportunities.

Advocate For Education
The decisions made by elected officials in St. Paul and the nation's capitol can drastically affect our ability to educate Duluth students.  It's up to school districts, teachers, staff members, parents and community members to let decision makers know that public education is a priority and must be adequately funded.  The future of our children's education is at stake!

Our governmental relations representative works with legislative contacts, other school districts, administration and board members to identify legislative issues that could affect our future state funding and bring those to the attention of state representatives.

Check the district website under Legislative Updates for a list of issues that affect Duluth education, and to find contact information for your elected representatives.