Schools can help parents The Brunswick News - Home Page

The Brunswick News - Home Page

Schools can help parents

5/31/2010

By ERIKA CAPEK The Brunswick News

Parent involvement workers don't have to be certified teachers, yet their role in the school system is an important one.

A full-time or part-time parent involvement worker will be at every elementary school this fall, except Oglethorpe Point Elementary School, and at each middle school, said Marihelen Newman, Glynn County family involvement specialist.

Newman said the goal of parent involvement workers is to empower parents and support families.


"We're available to help parents navigate the school system and navigate through the jargon that educators use," Newman said.

Parent involvement efforts are funded through Title 1 federal funds, which schools receive based on the percentage of students from low-income families.

Newman said the majority of parent involvement workers deal with parents but sometimes try to have a parent and child come in together.

Topics they help parents with include test-taking strategies for children, the importance of attendance for children and working with children who have learning disorders.

They focus on more than just academics.