Empowering Parents: Enhancing Parental Involvement and Engagement

As a parent of multiple Channahon students, I firmly believe that the school district should actively encourage parental involvement in their child’s education. Parents should also be adequately informed about various district, school, and classroom activities. I advocate for parents to feel heard when issues arise and actively participate in finding solutions.

Since the onset of the pandemic, opportunities for parents to volunteer have unfortunately diminished. I will strongly urge the school district to reinstate invitations for parents to assist our exceptional teachers with simple classroom tasks, such as laminating sheets, cutting out flashcards, or organizing handouts. When I returned to the classroom to contribute my time, I experienced a profound sense of connection, involvement, and investment in my child’s education. I also encourage parents to celebrate their child’s birthday with a special lunch day. My family cherishes the memories of school lunches spent with their parents.

Effective communication is another crucial aspect of fostering a positive parent-school relationship. Parents must be kept informed about all matters pertaining to their child’s education. This fosters a mutually beneficial relationship that ultimately enhances the child’s learning experience. Additionally, it is essential to facilitate communication regarding Board of Education matters. Streaming meetings and distributing monthly minutes are effective ways to achieve this.

Most importantly, I will emphasize the importance of providing parents with a platform to express their concerns and actively participate in decision-making processes. I firmly believe that parents should not feel silenced when raising issues with teachers, administration, or the board. I will consistently make myself available to the residents of Channahon and pledge to include parents and the community in board decisions whenever appropriate.