Ten Ways You Can be Involved in Your Child's School

 Terri McCarthy is a busy lady. She is a mom with a child at Mill Ridge Primary, a full time teacher in Yonkers, and the Danbury Citywide PTO Representative. She knows how hard it is to get involved as a working mother, but as a teacher, she also knows how important it is.

 “Introduce yourself to the teacher and ask if they need help. In the classroom, there are readers and writers workshops, you might be able to oversee a group. Give your teacher your email address, and let them know you are willing to help. They may feel more comfortable with that than calling. Even something as simple as helping kids get ready for the bus, help with tying shoes and buttoning coats.”

 If you have time, offer to volunteer during the day or during recess. “Especially with budget cuts, they are losing bodies,” said McCarthy. “ I know teachers are not allowed to ask for help, but I write to them and ask them what they need. This is a good way for working parents to stay involved. Go on the school website, and during the holidays, ask if they need supplies. A lot of times the teachers are buying these things themselves. The teachers will be honest if you offer to buy them.”

 “Don't feel like you can only volunteer in your child's classroom. Speak to the principal, and offer to help out in other classrooms, too,” said McCarthy.

 Kimi Council, PTO President from the Morris Street School and Citywide PTO President Brian Walsh suggested that moms can help with office projects.

“Help send mailers out," Council suggested.  

“Make copies or any other small jobs they may need," said Walsh. "Purchase a case of water, an extra box of Kleenex, Purell, crayons, pencils or any other supply your child class may need.”

 “Kids beam from ear to ear when they bring supplies in for the whole class,” said McCarthy. “Many working parents can't get into the classroom, and the kids love to bring things in. Teachers are doing more with less, with all these cuts.”

 “Go to the PTO meetings, that's where you find out everything about your school,” said McCarthy. “Go and sit by yourself, if you have to. Working parents often don't go to meetings because they feel like everyone knows each other. Go anyway, you'll meet people.”

 “There are so many things people can do,” said McCarthy. “I sign up for the evening book fair, because I am working during the day.”

 With Danbury's wealth of diversity, parents can bring a lot to education by coming into the school and talking about their culture. According to McCarthy, “Its educational to talk about cultures, or to talk about your religion, like Kwaanza or Ramadan.”

 Council agreed. “Put together a small presentation about your culture and present it to the kids and/or get the kids involved in projects relating to your culture.”

 “If you are going to take a day off to do holiday shopping, come in and do a holiday craft,” said McCarthy. “Come in and talk about your work.”

 “Every month try to put yourself out there and send the teacher an email,” said McCarthy. “Ask what they need, what you can do. Remember, its not just your child's schools, it's yours too.”