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Parental involvement is something many schools
across the nation struggle with on a daily basis. As our society has become more complex,
the battle for time has never been more prevalent.
Studies show that children who have an adult
that takes an interest in their lives – what they are doing in school, what they are doing with their
friends – do better academically than students who do not have that adult presence. To help
parents find the time during the day – ordinary moments that can become extraordinary – Lee
County Public Schools is joining districts across Florida that are implementing the Be There
awareness campaign.
A recent survey showed three main reasons
parents cited when asked why they aren’t involved in the education of their child. 1) Time – there
just isn’t enough time in the day and there are other things they need to be addressing; 2)
Inadequacy – many parents said they do not have the academic skills to help their children with
their homework and other assignments; and 3) Past Experiences – many parents said when they
were students they didn’t have a positive experience in dealing with the school’s “front
office” and that inhibits them from taking that first step.
What makes the Be There campaign so effective is
that it simply points out times during the day that parents can take with their child. If they
are in the grocery store, they can have their child read the ingredients off the labels of the items
in the shopping cart. If they are driving, they can turn off the cell phones, radio and iPod and
talk with each other as they drive to whatever their destination may be. If and adult is making
dinner, they can have their child help prepare the meal with them.
These are just ordinary, everyday activities that can turn
into something extraordinary – and that’s what this campaign is
all about.
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