Parents
School Parent Council Members |
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 Melissa Mitchell serves as the Co-Chair and School Site Council Representative on our School Parent Council (SPC). This is her second year as a member of the SPC. She is the President of the Boston Parent Advisory Council - Title 1 and helps parents get involved at the district school levels. She is also a child care provider for ESL classes at the Sonny Walker Computer Center / FCE Title 1 Training Center. |
Mary Hall serves as Secretary on our School Parent Council (SPC). She has been actively involved on the parent council for three years. Ms. Hall is employed with inVentiv Clinical Solutions LLC as a Study File Analyst. 
Sylvia Thomas serves a Secretary on our School Parent Council(SPC). She has been actively involved on the parent council for three years. Ms. Thomas is a Relationship Administrator at Bank of America.
Always Show Up!
It's probably no secret that children who have involved parents are more happy, healthy, and well-adjusted and excel at their educational and extracurricular pursuits. It can increase their cognitive development, keeps them motivated, strengthens the parent-child relationship, and has a direct positive influence on their overall academic achievement. In turn, it can also help parents achieve a positive outlook on their parenting, increase their own self confidence and self esteem, and help parents feel more satisfied with their child's educational experience at school.
Most parents are very involved when their kids are in elementary school. They show up for Open Houses, chaperone field trips, and help out with bake sales or the school play. But when kids get to middle and high school, many parents disappear from the scene. Parents are still involved in their child’s life at home, but no longer as involved in their child’s life at school. Unfortunately, during the teenage years, kids need their parents involved as much as ever. So where do you get involved? With today's busy schedules between home, work, and school, it may feel that the average family has very little quality time to offer. However, different options and levels of commitment are available to fit every parent's availability, and with some careful planning and dedication, you can make it a positive experience for both yourself and your teen.
First of all, ALWAYS show up for school events. Your teen may try to convince you that it’s not important, but it is. Whether it’s an Open House, a Parent Council Meeting, or Report Card Night – make it your business to be there. And try to encourage other parents you know to come along as well.
Second, discover what your child is most passionate about and find a way to connect that to school. For instance, our son has always been passionate about motorcycle racing. When he was a teenager, we made a deal that we would take him up to New Hampshire for dirt bike racing as long as he brought home A’s.
Lastly, it's important to consider what skills, talents and abilities you can bring to the table. Maybe your child's school is in desperate need of your help organizing a fundraiser, but your skills in sewing and designing might better serve the school if you were to help the drama teacher in making costumes for the school play. Remember, you want this to be a positive experience for both of you, and if your child senses that you're not happy with what you've chosen to become involved in, then they likely will not be happy as well.
The bottom line is to show up, get involved and stay involved. Teens with involved parents are less likely to get into mischief, have emotional problems, or have problems in school. You benefit by connecting with and staying connected to your child. It's a win-win situation for you both.