While participating in the Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, Ohio parent Charde’ developed a volunteering program for a middle school. Read more about her plan below.
Introduction
I am a mother to six children and I have always been involved or connected to something going on inside of the school building. My last child has entered middle school and is approaching the end of his 6th grade year. He still wants me to be involved in his classroom activities but that is not normal in our middle school. Parents volunteering in classrooms stops after the 5th grade. This begins the disconnect that in some cases never reconnects. The kids think it is embarrassing to have their parent sit in class with them. The parents move on to the next thing that is demanding their attention. The teachers only call us to assist with discipline. I
am going to change that through “The Parent Participation Program” (3P). 3P is going to bridge the gap between parents, students, and staff by keeping us together beyond the primary years. Through 3P, parents can sign up to volunteer in sixth through eighth grade classrooms.
Goal
My goal is to create a space for middle school parents to participate inside the classrooms. Parents will be available to assist with daily task and assignments. 3P will launch in the 2026-2027 calendar school year. By the end of the winter semester parents will be on the schedule and in rotation volunteering in classrooms. 3P will change the idea that middle school parents are only valuable
to assist with student discipline. We will provide the opportunity for parents to be more involved in their child’s educational development while supporting the students and staff. 3P will keep parents, students and staff connected past the primary school years.
Expected Outcomes
- Parents and Teachers create genuine relationships.
- Students overcome the stigma that it is embarrassing for their parents to help in their classrooms.
- Students feel supported beyond necessary discipline.
- Regular in-person communication between parents and teachers.
- Community is created between students’ staff and parents.
- 3P becomes the blueprint and expectation moving forward.
Potential Challenges
- Low sign-up interest from parents.
- Students are distracted by volunteers.
- Teachers feel uncomfortable with parents being in the classrooms.
- Parents not staying committed after signing up.
Next Steps
Changes
- Recruit parents at all school functions.
- Appoint parent leaders for each grade level.
- Develop student leaders within the program.
- Advocate to implement this same structure in our 2 high schools.
Maintenance
- Stay engaged and committed through the challenges.
- Advocate to implement this same structure in our 2 high schools.