F.I.S.H.

1
F.I.S.H.

• Family InvolvementStarts Here

2
F.I.S.H.

• F.I.S.H. Objectives
• Identify why family involvement is important in a
  childs education.
• Identify several different methods for involving
  parents in their childs education.

3
F.I.S.H.

• From the TEA Pre-K Guidelines
• Families Critical Players in Childrens School
  Readiness and Prekindergarten Experience

4
F.I.S.H.

• Why is family
• involvement important?

5
F.I.S.H.

• Why should I
• make the effort?

6
F.I.S.H. Philosophy

• Parents are the first teachers
• Parents must be equal partners
• Learning does not stop outside the classroom.
• Dont ask for parent involvement- expect it!

7
F.I.S.H. Misconceptions

• Family Involvement is not only about parents
  helping out in the classroom.

8
F.I.S.H. Strategies

• Setting the Stage for Success
• Daily Communication Folders
• Appropriate Homework
• Weekly Newsletters
• Buddy Bags
• Family Nights
• Class Websites
• Parent Conferences
• Parent Education Sessions

9
F.I.S.H.

• From the TEA Pre-K Guidelines
• Early childhood teachers work in collaborative
  partnerships with families, establishing and
  maintaining regular, frequent two-way
  communication with childrens families.

10
Setting the Stage for Success
Parent Orientation

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

http//www.pre-kpages.com/prek_orient.html http/
/www.pre-kpages.com/prek_faqs.html
11
Setting the Stage for Success

• How to Prepare the Parents
• Put parents at ease
• Teach parents how to talk to their children about
  school
• Share your policy on
• separation anxiety.

12
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 childs
  teacher?

http//www.pre-kpages.com/prek_faqs.html
13
Setting the Stage for Success
Handouts

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

14
Daily Communication Folders

• What are they?
• What is their purpose?
• What is found in a
• BEAR book?

http//www.pre-kpages.com/bearbook.html
15
Appropriate Homework

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

16
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

17
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
18
Family Nights

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

http//www.pre-kpages.com/familynight.html
19
Class Websites

• About Me Page
• Your Philosophy
• Class Schedule
• Class Photos
• (check your districts policy first)
• Homework Policy
• FAQs/Handbook
• Link to School Website
• Links for Parents Kids
• Curriculum Information

20
Parent Conferences

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

http//www.pre-kpages.com/conferences.html
21
Parent Education Sessions

• Registration
• Orientation
• Homework Night
• Literacy Night
• Math Night

http//www.pre-kpages.com/prek_orient.html http//
www.pre-kpages.com/homework.html
22
End of Year
Summer Packet

• 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

• Calendar
• Nursery Rhymes
• Activities
• Recipes
• Supplies

23
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
24
Review of Objectives

• F.I.S.H. Objectives
• Identify why family involvement is important in a
  childs education.
• Identify several different methods for involving
  parents in their childs education.

25
The End

• by
• Vanessa Levin
• www.pre-kpages.com