Smart Schools - Elementary School
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 [...]
End-of-the-year class parties that kids, teachers and parents will love
Planning an end-of-the-year class party but short on ideas? Here are some fresh ones from Such A Smart Mom and some of her party-planning pals.
Keep it simple
It’s tempting to knock yourself out for a class party, especially ones that mark a milestone, such as the end of kindergarten. Remember, it pays to keep it simple. [...]
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 [...]
Volunteers help struggling readers catch up to their classmates
Sometimes all it takes for a young, struggling reader to become a successful reader is a reading buddy, a patient adult who listens to her read.
That’s exactly what Marilyn Schmeling and hundreds of other volunteers do through Everyone A Reader, a terrific volunteer program that trains them in just three hours to work with young [...]
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, [...]
Healthy ideas for fun classroom parties
Here’s a great idea for class parties that had me slapping my forehead. Why hadn’t I ever thought of this? It’s so obvious!
Serve the healthy snacks first and save the sweets for later.
“It’s just like at home. Do we serve dessert first? Or dessert with the rest of the meal? No,” said Deirdre Kleske, who [...]
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 [...]
Best Seller List: Parent groups buy books for school libraries
As schools trim their budgets here and there to make ends meet, the selection of books available in their libraries is getting thinner.
Some parent groups are helping to replenish library stacks by sponsoring fund raisers specifically for books. Here are two ideas that might work for your school.
The Birthday Book Club at Miramar Ranch Elementary [...]
Are our children really expected to learn more than we did when we were their age? Here’s a hint: It’s not your imagination
Parents are known for telling their kids how much harder life was when they were young. As in - I had to walk to school in snow and rain. Or - I couldn’t just find research on the Internet, I had to walk to the library in the snow and rain.
So why is it that [...]
