The one thing that you and teachers have in common is your children. Both parents and teachers are eager to have your children, their students, succeed. Most school people are themselves parents. They understand your dreams, and your apprehensions as well.

       Here are some suggestions on ways to become involved, particularly in high schools. (As educators we do well in involving parents in elementary school. But in high school, parental involvement becomes all but nonexistent. We must change this.)

• Sit down with your children and talk about the outcomes you and they expect to achieve this year.

           Don’t let the year simply evolve. Set goals with your children. Maybe it is a subject, such as math, with which the child has had difficulty. Among the goals should be career exploration. The nature of that activity changes as children progress from elementary school to high school. Simply put, children should consider their interests and abilities and connect those to career possibilities.

• Emphasize a good attitude toward school.          

Many of us enjoyed school from beginning to end. But many of us at some point found school an unpleasant experience. For some parents, school buildings, which have a physical atmosphere as distinct as that of hospitals, evoke such bad memories they feel physically repulsed. It is even more important then to pick out positives to put before your children.

• As soon as possible, visit the school to meet administrators and teachers. Take advantage of open houses.

As an administrator, my first reaction to a call or visit from parents may be, “What’s wrong? What’s the problem?” All too often in high school parents reach out only when there is a problem. Take it upon yourself to change that. Administrators and teachers appreciate knowing more about your children and your interest in their success.

• Talk to your children about their teachers. Find out who is the favorite, supportive teacher, the one your child goes to for advice.

One difficulty in high school is the array of teachers, each one in contact with your child only 45 minutes a day. Build your relationship with that one special teacher. When I was teaching, parents of those special students would call me for counsel about their children and school matters.

At Great Oaks we are formalizing this. The High Schools That Work (HSTW) model calls for an advisor/advisee relationship between teachers and students. Each Great Oaks teacher will have 15 students to advise.

• Homework. Talk with teachers about homework and their expectations. Make sure your children have the time and space to meet those expectations.

As a parent you will do whatever it takes to help your children achieve success in school. Teachers and administrators also want your child to be successful. Research shows that student success comes when parents, teachers, administrators, students and the community all actively work together to achieve it.