Your kids are our kids, too

Did you know your local educator employment contracts address issues such as class size, health and safety concerns, professional growth opportunities, and textbooks and supplies? NEARI works to support your teachers and staff, so they can give your child the best school experience possible.

The African proverb says "it takes a village," and nowhere is that truer than in your local public school. Teachers, specialists, teacher assistants and support staff, maintenance and cafeteria workers, and bus drivers all contribute to your child's success at school. But they need your help, too.

Parents, families, educators and communities—there's no better partnership to assure that all students, pre-K to high school, have the support and resources they need to succeed in school and life. The research shows that students tend to earn higher grades, have better attendance, are more motivated and less likely to drop out when their families are involved in their education.

Here are four tips for what parents can do outside the classroom to help their child succeed:

• Create a home environment that encourages learning and schoolwork. Establish a daily routine of mealtimes with time for homework, chores and bedtime.
• Reinforce learning at home and show your child the skills they're learning are applicable to everyday life. For example, if your child is learning about measurements, solicit help with a recipe.
• Model the habits of a lifelong learner. Let your child see you reading, writing and using technology.
• Become an advocate. Sign up to speak at a school committee meeting about resources your child's school and schools in general need to be successful. And support the committee's request for a school budget adequate to provide what your student and his/her teachers need to be successful.

Check out the parent partnership resources on this page and from NEA to help you as partner in your child's education.