Getting Involved - Making a Difference

Whether your child is in preschool or the last year of high school, taking an active role in their educational path is critical to their success. Decades of research have shown the importance of a strong parent and community presence in schools. For busy parents, the thought of doing something more, something else, can be intimidating. Some community members without children in schools wonder how and where they can make a difference.

"For many of us, parents and educators alike, the goal is to raise children who are critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and members of a strong community," says Dr. Peter Noonan, Superintendent of the City of Fairfax Schools. "I understand the overwhelming feelings and responsibilities as a parent and member of the community. However, I do know that our schools and our school board offer many opportunities at different levels of commitment for those interested and willing to make a significant difference in a child's educational life."

As any parent knows, being involved begins at home. Providence Elementary Principal Jesse Kraft provides recommendations on how parents of elementary students can help students at home:

• Promote reading
• Write and draw for fun with your children
• Have deep, thoughtful conversations about things they've learned and choices they've made
• Give children the message, through words and deeds, that learning and effort are incredibly important - especially when life is hard.

As children grow, so do expectations and responsibilities. According to Dr. Scott Poole, principal at Lanier Middle School, middle and high school parents should continue to be actively engaged in their student's academic path as they were in elementary school. Dr. Poole offers these suggestions to parents:

• Actively demonstrate your value for learning
• Show a non-threatening interest in your child's learning
• Develop a study plan and stick to it
• Consistently offer your child a sincere expectation that he and she can learn
• Get involved in the school

In high school, parents are encouraged to speak with their students openly and honestly about grades and progress. Dave Goldfarb, principal at Fairfax High School provides these questions for parents to open a dialogue with their students:

• Are you proud or satisfied with your progress?
• Do you understand the teacher's expectations and standards for assignments?
• Do you seek help from the teacher when necessary?
• What are some work habits or routines that are helping you be successful?

After speaking with your child about his or her grades, Principal Goldfarb encourages parents to help them speak to the teachers on their own. "Self-advocacy is an important skill for our young adults to develop," says Goldfarb. "All of us have people we turn to for help - friends, supervisors, mentors - and it is important for our student to see that asking for extra assistance represents them well because it shows they care and want to do better."

For parents and community members interested in being more involved on a policy level, the City of Fairfax School Board offers a number of opportunities. Parents and community members can represent the city on Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) advisory committees or attend City School Board meetings and work sessions to learn about issues facing our schools. "We are always looking for city residents to help us represent our students at the county level," says Carolyn Pitches, Vice Chairman of the City of Fairfax School Board. "It is crucial for us to have our voice heard on important issues ranging from discipline to capacity issues."

"In the City of Fairfax schools we strive for a strong sense of community and support for our students," says Superintendent Noonan. "But we cannot do it alone. You have a real opportunity to make a difference in your child's academic and personal growth. Just ask your local school how you can help."

When I look back over my six years as a mentor to two girls at Providence Elementary School, I am amazed how much "my girls" have grown. My experience reinforces the idea of how important it is for young children to have a number of positive adult relationship in their lives. With a relatively small time commitment - in my case just 30 minutes a week- my goal is to help my young friends not only with academics, but social skills as well. In our weekly lunch dates, we talk about everything from homework assignments to interactions with peers and teachers. I try to teach my mentees to be a strong advocate for themselves - to stand up to peer pressure, to talk with a teacher if they don't understand an assignment or to develop positive strategies to succeed with challenges they face. For some of us with grown children, mentoring is a great way to connect with the kids in Fairfax and really see all the wonderful opportunities available in our City Schools. I know I have developed a wonderful bond with both my girls and I hope I have given them a sense of safety and security knowing that one more adult cares about them. I encourage anyone interested in making a real difference in a child's life to contact us and find out about mentoring or other ways you can help the students in our community.

Sincerely,

Janice Miller

Chairman, City of Fairfax School Board

Parents and interested residents are encouraged to participate in the FCPS' Listening Tour meetings from 7:00-8:30 at the following locations. The objective of these meetings is to have a dialogue with the community about the boundary change. 

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Five Questions for

Anne Bronaugh

Mother of Four, Volunteer

Names and ages of children?

Sydney, 14,

9th grade, FHS

Marin, 11, 6th grade, Providence

Mac, 9, 3rd grade, Providence

Charlotte, 9, 3rd grade, Providence

What is your favorite event at Providence Elementary?

I can't decide!  It's a tie between the Thanksgiving luncheons, the staff basketball game and teacher appreciation week. 

How do you get involved at school?

I stuff Tuesday (communicator) folders, take volunteer shifts sometimes at different events like the book fair, the fun fair or the Thanksgiving luncheon and chair the teacher appreciation committee.  I can't be at the PTA meetings but I feel like part of the community and most of the things I do I can do whenever it works for me.  And my kids can even help sometimes. 

Advice for busy parents not sure how to volunteer?

I would choose a PTA committee to serve on.  Working on something over time with other people helps spread the work out and has helped me get to know other parents and school staff in a way I didn't before. 

Best thing about living in Fairfax?

It feels like a small town in the middle of these huge suburbs.  I love the sense of community, the diversity, all the great 

"extras" in our city schools and that the school board and the administrations really work at building that community.  I love living here. 

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