Principal Christine Hinds' believed that by offering parents classes in the same building where their children learned, parents would feel more comfortable there and grow to become partners in learning with their children—Christine Hinds, Washington.
Principal Karen Lyon and her team planned monthly workshop around an academic theme, such as reading or nutrition, and teachers modeled lessons with the help of Thomas Edison students—Karen Lyon, Kentucky.
Recognizing that families hit hard by the recession were scaling back on entertainment spending, Principal Phyllis Jones and her team proposed a series of fun, no-cost, school-sponsored events the whole family could enjoy—Phyllis Jones, Georgia.
Inspired by Tom Rath’s bestselling book How Full is Your Bucket and its message of positive reinforcement, Principal Mark Proffitt purchased multiple copies of the book to share among parents, challenging them to “fill children’s buckets” by serving as volunteer tutors—Mark Proffitt, Kansas.
Principal Catherine Reinholdt started by appointing a parent to serve as a liaison, reaching out to families, chiefly families who have elected to transfer their children to Violetville Elementary Middle School—Catherine Reinholdt, Maryland.
Principal Kristin Bijur and her team elected 25 parent “event chairs” from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds to organize and run school events, such as fairs and literacy events—Kristin Bijur, California.
Principal Cheron Reid and her staff surveyed parents to see what kinds of resources, workshops and activities the school could provide to help families and improve at-home conditions for learning—Cheron Reid, Cincinnati.
Recognizing the positive impact of recreational activities on children’s academic and personal growth, Principal Susan Quinlan decided to offer a variety of no cost after-school clubs to students that would nurture their talents and interests and expose them to new experiences—Susan Quinlan, Kentucky.
Principal Maria Chairez proposed a series of weekend family events that combined fun and academics. More than 150 students and 15 teachers attended each session—Maria Chairez, Nevada.
