Why Parent Partnerships?
Study after study has shown that parental involvement in education improves student outcomes. A 2002 report by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, which synthesized research on parental involvement over the last decade, found that “regardless of family income or background, students with involved parents are more likely to:
More concretely, family participation facilitates Spark’s educational goals by enabling teachers to more easily, and effectively, differentiate their instruction – to create an environment where all students are supported and challenged. For example, a parent volunteering in a classroom may work with one group of students writing a historical play, while the teacher works one-on-one with several students on specific skills or projects.
Through their participation, Spark families also will help create a school culture that values the contributions of each of its members, where all help one another, and where the entire community is committed to the welfare of all of the children in their care.
- Earn higher grades and test scores and enroll in higher-level programs
- Be promoted, pass their classes and earn credits
- Attend school regularly
- Have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school
- Graduate and go on to secondary education (1)
More concretely, family participation facilitates Spark’s educational goals by enabling teachers to more easily, and effectively, differentiate their instruction – to create an environment where all students are supported and challenged. For example, a parent volunteering in a classroom may work with one group of students writing a historical play, while the teacher works one-on-one with several students on specific skills or projects.
Through their participation, Spark families also will help create a school culture that values the contributions of each of its members, where all help one another, and where the entire community is committed to the welfare of all of the children in their care.
How will Spark families be asked to contribute?
In order for Spark students to thrive in a developmentally-based, small group learning environment, consistent parent partnerships are essential. Spark encourages each family to:
- Participate in a regular, weekly 2-hour shift in each enrolled child's classroom (with a family maximum of 6 hours per week)
- Serve on one school-wide committee per family per year (approximately 3-4 hours per month)
- Drive on a minimum of two field trips per year for each child enrolled
- Attend Spark's "Positive Connections" social-emotional intelligence class and classroom volunteer training (these are one-time trainings)
- Participate in one Campus Work Day per year
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Does it have to be a parent that volunteers?
No, anyone designated by a student's family to act as a volunteer on behalf of that student may participate, as long as they submit to the fingerprinting, background check, and TB test required of all on-campus volunteers. This may include a grandparent, adult sibling, aunt or uncle, or even a close family friend.
Can parents trade off classroom shifts each week?
Yes. Many parents will choose to trade off weekly to fulfill their regular 2-hr shift. As long as both parents have been fingerprinted, background checked, TB tested, and have attended the volunteer trainings, they may alternate however they see fit.
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What if English is my second language?
Spark Charter firmly
believes that EVERY parent has something valuable to offer Spark students. Can
you help with foreign language instruction? Organize an event to share your
native culture? Tutor an EL student? Are you a good cook? Do you
love helping kids with art projects or crafts? Gardening? Carpentry? Music? Dance? PE? The possibilities are endless, and the benefits to students are immense
when they are exposed to a vast array of skills, knowledge, and culture.
Not only does Spark wish to attain a high level of diversity on its
campus, but delivery of its mission fully depends on it.
What if the above expectations create a hardship for our family?
Spark Charter School seeks to realize its goals for community building through the Parent Partnership Program; however, Spark recognizes that "life happens," and will work with ANY family that wishes to participate at Spark Charter School. There are many valuable ways to contribute to the Spark Charter community. Our goal is to include every family in a way that is comfortable for them.
*By law, no public school (district or charter) can require parent participation. Parent participation at Spark is not a requirement for application, and no child will be denied enrollment because parents have not participated.
(1) A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement, Henderson and Mapp, Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, 2002.
