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Looking To Get Involved In School Activities? Here Are A Few Ideas

Cast and crew of last year’s Jamestown Highs School musical, Seussical. The amazing musical productions require many school and community volunteer. So, if you love the theater and are handy and creative you can donate your time to work on costumes or set design and production.

Join PTA

As an active PTA member, you join forces with those devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. You become part of a dedicated network of families, educators, businesses and community leaders who are working to ensure all children receive a high-quality education. Contact your child’s school to join.

Talk About School at Home With Your Child

Encourage your child to talk about his/her day and express concerns. Learn about your child’s strengths and weaknesses and what activities he/she likes and doesn’t like. Two-way communication is essential to developing an active and positive relationship and an open, on-going dialogue paves the way to your child’s success.

Be a Partner in Your Children’s Learning

Lutheran Foster Grandparent, Joann Marchincin, reads with Fletcher Elementary School students, Elianna Vazquez, Piper Ecklof and Riley Anderson last year.

Many parents work full-time and may not be able to actually be at school during the day. Don’t worry! You don’t have to be physically present in order to be present in your child’s educational experience. Develop a strong relationship and consistent communication with your child’s teacher. Middle school and JHS parents can use the district’s Parent Portal, too. It provides valuable information, including attendance, academic progress, as well as the ability to communicate directly with teachers. Parent Portal access is available at www.jamestownpublicschools.org and for mobile devices, there’s a free Parent Portal app. Parents will need a password to log on, which they get from their child’s school secretary.

Be an Advocate

We are all advocates for Jamestown’s children. It is important that all children are treated equitably and have access to opportunities that will enable them to reach their full potential. Attend Jamestown Board of Education Meetings (the schedule is at www.jamestownpublicschools.org to both inform and be informed. It is also important to advocate at the state and federal levels to ensure our schools have the resources to provide a world-class education to every student. Send e-mails and letters and make phone calls to advocate among elected officials.

Read to Your Child

We all know the digital age has had an impact on the time kids spend enjoying books. Research shows that being read aloud to regularly and having restricted online time correlates with better academics and more frequent reading. Children who love to read are generally immersed in households with lots of books and parents and families who like to read. Ask your child’s teacher or librarian for great reading suggestions tailored to your child’s skill level. Incorporate reading and writing in everyday activities, such as letting your child help you write your grocery list or help bake by reading a recipe to learn how to follow instructions. Contact your school to learn about the many ways you can help promote proficient readers.

Take a Leadership Role

Every Jamestown school has a Shared Decision Making Team, which analyzes, discusses and plans for school improvement. Their work comes from the belief that a school will be more effective and responsive when members of the school community, especially teachers and parents, understand and share in the District’s mission, vision and goals. Each school also has Family & Community Engagement (FaCE) Teams, which embrace a shared responsibility with other community agencies and organizations for our children’s education. Parents and community members are encouraged to serve by contacting their child’s school principal.

Be a Booster!

JPS has numerous athletic and music Booster Clubs.

“It is vital for families/community to volunteer for clubs like the music boosters,” said JHS Marching Band Booster President, Traci Stevenson. “The Music Boosters supports the band in many ways by planning, coordinating, and running fundraising events. Without these fundraising opportunities, there wouldn’t be enough money for the programs to exist. Parents also help in so many ways and when parents/guardians are involved, it gives students an additional sense of pride because we are validating that their hard work and dedication are worth it!” To join or sponsor a booster club, call the JPS Athletic Office at 483-4378 or visit the JHS Marching Band Boosters website at www.jhsmarchingband.com/boosters, or call Meghan Murray at 483-4217.

Send an SOS:

Support Our Students

Like us on Facebook (@JamestownPublicSchools)! Follow us on Twitter (@JamestownSchool)! Attend a JPS athletic event, come to a concert or visit the district art show. Interest in school activities shows students that their families and their community are invested in their successes. Also, keep simple things in mind, like shoveling sidewalks during the winter so our students can walk to school safely, or observing alternative parking rules, so that school buses can transport children. Contact your neighborhood school to suggest and to learn about other, important ways you can support our students.

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