Smart Schools - Across the Ages
12 top tips for a strong school membership drive this fall
The 2009-10 school year promises to be a bleak one on the financial front, which presents a powerful challenge to parent groups as they organize their fundraising pledge drive.
Schools everywhere - and no more so than here in California - will have to live with smaller budgets, larger class sizes and fewer supplies. The [...]
You know you’re a diehard parent volunteer when…
Thank goodness for dedicated parent volunteers! Our kids and their schools need them now more than ever. To mark the end of the school year, here is something I wrote for parents who give their time and talents to their children’s schools.
By Ruth McKinnie Braun
You know you’re a diehard parent volunteer when you know [...]
How to read standardized test scores for your child’s school
The California Department of Education just released the 2008 Academic Performance Index scores for schools throughout the state. These scores let parents know how students at their child’s school are performing academically, and the scores shed an important light on how your school compares to similar schools.
You can find numbers for your child’s school in [...]
Great end-of-the-year gift ideas that teachers are sure to love
Looking for some great ideas for an end-of-the-year gift for your teacher?
Here are some smart gift ideas from Such A Smart Mom with a little help from her friends.
A gift sure to please
Gift cards are fast, easy favorites and for good reason. Whether you’re organizing a group gift or giving your teacher a thank [...]
Tips for the perfect dinner and auction fundraiser for your school
Thinking about hosting a dinner and auction for your child’s school or bringing an existing event to the next level? Here are some great tips to help you put on a successful event that will raise much-needed money, build community and give parents a well-deserved night out.
These Ten Tips for a Terrific Dinner and Auction [...]
Great, affordable ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week
Looking for some great ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week that won’t break the bank? Here are some from moms who spend a lot of time volunteering at their children’s school and know teachers deserve a special thanks for all they do.
A homemade dinner with friends
What better way to show a teacher how much you care [...]
Book exchanges: A great way to get free books into kids’ hands
Smart parents know smart kids need to be strong readers. We also know we’re trying to save money where we can.
Here’s a great (environmentally friendly) idea for getting books into the hands of our kids for no money: Organize a book exchange.
Parent Randi Hock organizes an annual book exchange at Solana Vista Elementary School, [...]
The value of Physical Education goes way beyond fitness
As school districts search for budget cuts, physical education and athletics are likely targets because they don’t impact academics, right? Think again.
Stewart Trost, an associate professor in Oregon State University’s Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, said research shows that:
Children who are physically active and fit tend to perform better in the classroom.
Sacrificing physical education [...]
Five Smart Reasons Why Parents should volunteer at School
Help Wanted: PTA volunteers for next year
Signs like that are sprouting up like spring flowers at schools all around the country. Email blasts are hitting mailboxes, phone calls are going out and some of you may even be approached as you walk across campus. This is the time of year for PTAs, PTOs, PTSAs, foundations [...]
When it comes to sending grads to college, high schools vary widely
You can tell a lot about a high school based on the number of its graduates go on to four-year colleges.
So I was intrigued when a friend told me about a database generated by the California Postsecondary Education Commission that shows how many students at public high schools enrolled in two- and four-year colleges [...]
