F.I.S.H.Family Involvement

Starts Here

F.I.S.H. Objectives:

• Identify why family involvement is important in a child’s education.

• Identify several different methods for involving parents in their child’s education.

From the TEA Pre-K Guidelines:

Families: Critical Players in Children’s School Readiness and

Prekindergarten Experience

Why is family involvement

important?

Why should I make the effort?

• Parents are the first teachers

• Parents must be equal partners

• Learning does not stop outside the classroom.

• Don’t ask for parent involvement- expect it!

Family Involvement is not only about parents helping out in

the classroom.

• Setting the Stage for Success

• Daily Communication Folders

• Appropriate Homework

• Weekly Newsletters

• Buddy Bags

• Family Nights

• Class Websites

• Parent Conferences

• Parent Education Sessions

From the TEA Pre-K Guidelines

Early childhood teachers work in collaborative partnerships with families,

establishing and maintaining regular, frequent two way communication with ‐

children’s families.

Setting the Stage for Success

Parent Orientation

http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_orient.html

http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_faqs.html

•Prepare the Parents•F.A.Q.’s•Handouts

Setting the Stage for Success

How to Prepare the Parents:

1.Put parents at ease

2.Teach parents how to talk to their children about school

3.Share your policy onseparation anxiety.

Setting the Stage for Success

F.A.Q.’s: Frequently Asked Questions

•What if my child is sick? •What should my child wear to school? •Does my child need an extra change of clothes? •Do I need to purchase school supplies? •Can I bring treats to school for my child's birthday? •Do I need to send a snack to school with my child?•Will my child be taking a nap at school?•What is the best way to contact my child’s teacher?

http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_faqs.html

Setting the Stage for Success

Handouts

•Letter from Teacher•Supply List•Student Information Sheet•Name Tags•Other

Daily Communication Folders

•What are they?

•What is their purpose?

•What is found in a BEAR book?

http://www.pre-kpages.com/bearbook.html

Appropriate Homework

•Name Bags•Skill Cards•Activities•Reading•Book Checkout System

Weekly Newsletters

•Computer generated•K.I.S.S.•Use clip-art•Consistency in layout•Save old newsletters •Proofread•Include contact info•Catchy title•E-mailing newsletters

The Lion Cub Friday, February 29, 2008

Teachers: Mrs. Levin & Mrs. Fertitta E-mail: levinv@cfbisd.edu visit our website at www.pre-kpages.com

Coming Soon! Here are some important dates coming up in March: Wednesday March 12th Western Day! Friday, March 28th - Spring Picture Day!

More details about all these events will be listed in the newsletter soon.

No School

March 17th -24th Classes resume

Tuesday, March 25th

Book Order Please check your child’s BEAR book for the latest Scholastic book order. Book orders are due on Friday, March 7th Some of our favorite books are being offered this month: Only .95 Cents!

Rainbow Words Congratulations to those students who have learned all the green words! Please start practicing the yellow words at home with your child:

she by if an so was

Students will advance to the next color when

they have mastered the yellow words

Happy Birthday

Angel

Last Name Reminder Please help your child practice writing his or her last name each night at home. Remember, only the first letter is capitalized, the rest are all lowercase letters.

Buddy Bags

• What are Buddy Bags?

• What are companion characters?

• What goes in the bag?

• Where to find materials?

• How do you track them?

http://www.pre-kpages.com/buddy_bags.html

Family Nights

•Door prizes•Food•Invitations•Organized activities•Theme nights•Family photos

http://www.pre-kpages.com/familynight.html

Class Websites

•About Me Page•Your Philosophy•Class Schedule•Class Photos (check your district’s policy first)

•Homework Policy•FAQ’s/Handbook•Link to School Website•Links for Parents & Kids•Curriculum Information

Parent Conferences

•Scheduling•Preparing•Portfolios•Handouts/Packets•Reminders•Following-up

http://www.pre-kpages.com/conferences.html

Parent Education Sessions

•Registration

•Orientation

•Homework Night

•Literacy Night

•Math Night http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_orient.htmlhttp://www.pre-kpages.com/homework.html

End of Year

•Library Info•Local Pool•Road Trip Tips•List of Top 100 Books•List of local places of interest•List of FREE things to do with kids

Summer Packet

•Calendar•Nursery Rhymes•Activities•Recipes•Supplies

Using Vista Print to Communicate

Enhancing parent communication:

•Business Cards•Magnets•Thank You Cards•Congratulations Cards•Back to School Checklists•Conference Scheduling & Reminders•Brochures•And Much More!

http://www.pre-kpages.com/vista_print.html

Review of Objectives

F.I.S.H. Objectives:

Identify why family involvement is important in a child’s education.

Identify several different methods for involving parents in their child’s education.

byVanessa Levin

www.pre-kpages.com

The End