Parent engagement newsletter, 2015 Spring

"Educating Georgia's Future"
Parent Engagement Newsletter Spring 2015

"Strengthening the Relationship Between Parents and Schools"

Since taking office as Georgia's School Superintendent on January 13, 2015, I have been focused on improving outcomes for K-12 students and championing policies that are child-focused and classroom-centered.
Two months into office, I understand one important fact none of this will happen without your help. Without meaningful collaboration between parents and educators, we cannot accomplish our mission of Educating Georgia's Future.
Early on in my journey as an

educator, I discovered the value of further opportunities to support parent and community support. As strong family-school partnerships. a former teacher and administrator, I have witnessed firsthand the I am grateful for all of your hard impact of involved parents on work and dedication, and want individual children and on entire you to know that I am open to communities. The 2015 Georgia your feedback and concerns. Please Parent Leadership Award winners reach out and share your thoughts and the Superintendent's Parent at any time my email address is Advisory Council members show us rwoods@doe.k12.ga.us. I am here that parents are making a difference to provide Georgia's students with in our schools and communities. the best educational opportunities Time and time again, we see that possible, and to provide support to involved parents are the driving our teachers, administrators, and force in making success possible parents. I want to hear what you for all students. As your State School have to say. Superintendent, I look forward to
-Mr. Richard Woods, Georgia's School Superintendent

From the Georgia PIC Network Blog

"Teachers That Make A Difference"

I would like to thank an awesome teacher named Mrs. Melissa McCallar who I first met when my kids were in Pre-K. This is my story how she made an impact in my son's life.
One day, I was desperately trying to find a book that interested my middle son. After spending hours at the public library and the Joseph Martin Elementary School library, I couldn't find anything that held his attention. Just as we were about to leave, in walks Mrs. McCallar and asks why my son Patrick wasn't checking out any books like his sister, Eboni, who had an arm full of books.

I smiled and explained how I had been searching for books that might interest him but was having some difficulty because I was not a very big reader myself. Sensing that I was in need of some help, she paused for a moment and suggested that I introduce him to the children's book series Junie B. Jones.
We tried it, and my son the one who hated reading, especially books with more than fifty pages now reads books with 200 or more pages and was recognized this past summer for reading the most books in all of Liberty County!

ignite my son's love of reading to which I am forever grateful.
Mrs. McCallar is now helping parents and students at the high school level and her new school, Bradwell Institute, recently won first place at the state level in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl.
I wanted to share my story to let educators know that they can and do make a difference. I would like to thank Mrs. McCallar and all the other educators who choose to get involved and make a difference in the lives of students and their parents every day!

Of course my son, being the wiz kid that he is, responded by saying, "I'm not a big reader like my brother and sister. I'm more into numbers and math."
To which Mrs. McCallar, being the fabulous teacher she is, replied, "Why not do both?"

As a parent, I couldn't be more grateful for teachers like Mrs. McCallar. She could have easily gone on her way that day and not offered to help. But she chose to stop, ask questions, and get involved. Because she took a moment out of her day to assist a distressed parent, she helped

-by Wendy Underwood School Superintendent Parent Advisory Council Member For more blog posts, videos, and engaging discussions visit the Georgia PIC Network blog at: gadoeparentengagement. edublogs.org

What's Inside
School Transition: Why it Matters - 2 Planning for Graduation - 3 8 Ways to Motivate Your Child to Succeed - 3 The 2015 Georgia Parent Leadership Award Winners - 4 Save the Dates - 4
GaDOEParentEngagement @GaDOEParents

02
Students who participate in transition activities that engage students, parents, and staff members are less likely to drop out of high school.

School Transition:

Every year millions of students transition from one grade to the next and

Why it ma tter s child to help alleviate
fear of their new

sometimes that can mean transitioning

environment.

to a whole new school. Whether a student

parents should be less involved than they

is going from home to kindergarten or from Help your child practice self-help skills were in elementary or middle school.

middle school to high school, beginning a

such as being responsible for bringing However, your involvement is crucial in

new school is a big change.

materials home, tying their shoes, or order for your new high school student to

eating at a table.

be off to a good start. Here are a few ways

Transitioning from one school to the

that you can do your part in supporting

next should be a process - not an event. If Middle School Transition

your child's successful transition into

designed well, school transition programs Middle school can be a whirlwind of social, high school:

help prepare students and families to emotional, and physical changes that can

develop skills, knowledge and relationships overwhelm your child. If not prepared Help them develop responsibility

that help students successfully move from with the skills needed to cope with these

by teaching them the importance

one setting to another. No matter your changes, a student's academic achievement,

of setting goals and holding

child's age, school transition activities future aspirations, and feelings of self-

themselves accountable.

help to set realistic expectations of school, worth can suffer. Here are a few tips on

relieve unnecessary anxiety, and pave the how you can help prepare your child for a Be aware of what assessments and

way for a rewarding school experience. successful middle school transition:

classes your child will be expected to

take and help them stay on track.

Kindergarten Transition

Take a tour of the school with your

The first school transition a child normally

child and help them map out a route Nurture their independence by

experiences is starting kindergarten.

to each class.

encouraging them to venture outside

Leaving the safety and familiarity of

of their comfort zone by exploring

their home environment and venturing Meet your child's teacher and other

extracurricular activities.

into a new and unfamiliar one can be

school staff, and ask them what your

very stressful. A successful transition to

child can expect in their first few weeks For more information about how you can

kindergarten can help your child be more

of school.

help your child's school transition, visit

self-confident, develop relationships with others, and be better prepared for school. Here are a few tips on how you can prepare your child for their transition into kindergarten:
Get your child into a morning and bedtime routine and practice a month before school starts.

Ask for the upcoming school calendar and encourage your child to make note of school events and activities that might interest them.
High School Transition It is very common for students to feel a great sense of apprehension upon transitioning

our School Transition page at http://www. gadoe.org/School-Improvement/FederalPrograms/Pages/School-Transition.aspx
Parents!
Have an idea to contribute to the newsletter? Send your parent involvement ideas and
articles to us through your parent involvement

from middle school to high school. During Take a tour of the school with your this time, there is a misconception that

coordinator or e-mail us directly. If your idea or article is published, your name will appear
in the newsletter!

Planning for

03

GRADUATION

(Hint: Start Early)

Obtaining a high school diploma is crucial in today's society and although almost all parents aspire for their children to graduate, they can often make the mistake of starting to prepare their child too late. Benjamin Franklin was quoted as saying "by failing to prepare you are preparing to fail," and to adequately prepare your child for high school graduation, the seeds must be sown much earlier than 11th or 12th grade.
Research has shown that the majority of students who drop out of high school miss significantly more days of school in first grade than students who do graduate. Studies such as this reveal that bad habits are learned early on in a child's academic career and ultimately lay the foundation for their academic success or failure. For this reason, it is important to start early in preparing your child for success. The following tips are a great way to ensure your child stays on track for graduation!
Get Involved! It's a fact: children perform better in school when their parents stay involved. By being involved you can address any problems that may arise, such as bullying or academic concerns, and help them get back on track.
Make education a priority. Establish your expectations for academic success as early as possible. Instilling good habits and a positive attitude towards school from the very beginning allows your child to know what is expected of them.
Be positive. When you regularly celebrate your child's successes they tend to have higher self-esteem and ultimately perform better in school.
For more tips of how you can support your child's track to graduation visit: www.parenttoolkit.com.

High school graduates earn higher salaries, are less likely to depend on public assistance, have health problems, or engage in criminal activity.
-Education Commission of the States

8 Ways to Motivate Your Child to Succeed to in School
via Scholastic
Your child is naturally curious and eager to learn. By making school and homework as pressure-free as possible, you can help protect him from stress and boost his academic achievement.
1. Show enthusiasm for your child's interests and encourage her to explore subjects that fascinate her. If she's a horse nut, offer her stories about riding or challenge her to find five facts about horses.

2. Ask about what he's learning, not 6. Celebrate his achievements, no

his grades or test scores. Ask him

matter how small. Completing a

to teach you what he learned in

book report calls for a special treat

school today.

or finishing a book allows him an

hour of TV.

3. Help her organize school papers and

assignments so she feels in control 7. Focus on his strengths, encouraging

of her work.

him to develop his talents. Even if

he didn't ace his math test, he may

4. Build his sense of responsibility

have written a good poem in English

by allowing him to choose

class or improved his spelling

extracurricular activities, assigning

score. Besides offering him a math

him chores, and asking his input on

workbook or computer program for

family decisions.

practice, give him a writing journal.

5. Ensure that she has plenty of time 8. Check in with your child regularly

for unstructured play.

to make sure she's not feeling

overloaded. If she is, help her

prioritize her work.

The 2015 Georgia Parent Leadership Award Winners!

Crystal Eplin Gwinnett County Schools
Melinda Gittleman Marietta City Schools
A nt wa n McK ee Atlanta Public Schools
Lori Rowe Tift County Schools
Towa nna Wa lker-Mi l l er Camden County Schools
Tyesha Whitely Savannah-Chatham County
Public Schools

Congratulations to the six parents selected as the winners of the 2015 Georgia Parent Leadership Awards! The Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Parent Teacher Association created the award to recognize parents across Georgia who utilize their various skills and talents to strengthen our schools and positively impact the lives of our children.
The Georgia Parent Leadership Award recognizes the many skills and talents of Georgia's parents. Parent Leadership Award winners are chosen not only based on their demonstrated talents, but also on how their work has benefited the

entire school community on behalf of all children. The award also hopes to inspire all parents to use their unique talents, no matter how big or small, to lead the way in building positive outcomes for all children.
Winners of the Georgia Parent Leadership Award are afforded opportunities throughout the year to share their many recognized talents by promoting and assisting with parent engagement activities at the state Title I level. To learn more about the Georgia Parent Leadership Awards visit: http://tinyurl.com/mos2z5j for more information.

March
Music in Our Schools Month This month promotes students having access to
music education taught by excellent music instructors.

Save the
April 12 - 18, 2015

Week of the Young Child The purpose of this week is to focus public attention on the needs of young children
and their families.

April 20 - 24, 2015
Public School Volunteer Week This week invites families

Dates

to assist school teachers and

administrators with everyday

Program Staff

activities by volunteering with their children.

April 23, 2015
Take Our Daughter and Sons to Work Day This program

was created to inform the future

Nathan Schult,

Interim Parent Engagement Program Manager

Vision Statement

nschult@doe.k12.ga.us The Parent Engagement Program believes that parents,

generation of young boys and girls about the variety of career paths
they can have.

404-463-1956

schools, families, and communities working together can create

Keisha Jeffries, Parent Engagement

meaningful partnerships that ultimately lead to significant gains across the board in student achievement.

Communications Specialist kjeffries@doe.k12.ga.us 404-656-2633

Have a Question?
AskDOE

Deana Bearden, Parent Engagement Specialist dbearden@doe.k12.ga.us

404-656-2800 v askdoe@doe.k12.ga.us
We're on the Web!
facebook.com/GaDOEParentEngagement

404-232-1148

@GaDOEParents

gadoeparentengagement.edublogs.org
www.gadoe.org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/AskDOE/Pages/Parents.aspx www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/Parent-Engagement-Program.aspx