Just Ask

Have you ever wanted something so bad, but were to afraid to ask for it? We're often too afraid to ask for things because of our fear of being told no. Funny thing is, most times when we work up the nerve to actually ask for it, in more cases than not we've received what it was we ask for.

Working at a title one school I've heard over and over that we need parents to get more involved. We have special budget codes, because across this nation we have assumed that parents from low income families don't want to be involved. This is not the case, we have assumed they don't want to be involved. Rarely, have I asked a parent for help and been told no. We are finding out this year that this is still holding true.

At the first fourth grade parent meeting this year we had 90% of our parents in attendance. Some may say it was because of the doughnuts, but I disagree. Our fourth grade teachers took the time to call the parents of the students they serve and they responded amazingly.

100% of the parents you don't ask to show up will never show up. We were challenged at Church the other week to invite someone to attend one of our Sunday services. The pastor said the same thing, 100% of the people you don't ask wont show up, but at least ask.

Our PTA executive board met tonight and one of our parent volunteer coordinators reported that she had every class covered with a room mom. Her biggest fear was that some of the teachers were uncomfortable with having a room mom. I want to share one of the greatest lessons I know to be true; When parents are in the school, children know that all adults, not just the teachers, want them to be academically successful, whether its their parent or not.

I've tried really hard not to use any cliches, but here goes, "it takes a village to raise a child." Sorry, I could not resist. I encourage you to actively enlist the parents of your class to join our PTA, to be at the functions our school sponsors, to be part of their nightly reading, to help out with the little things that need to get done, but you just don't have time for. Who knows, you might just get what you ask for........