It is important for parents to become involved in their child’s education. Here are some tips on how and why to become involved.
You can be involved in your child’s school by attending PTO meetings, workshops, or training events offered by the school; volunteering for school events or in your child’s classroom; reinforcing healthy messages and practices your child learns at school; helping make decisions about health in the school; and being part of community activities supported by the school.
Here are some specific ideas for how you can support your child’s school in providing healthy student rewards.
➜ Suggest alternatives for rewarding students for good grades, high test scores, or good classroom behavior. For example, give opportunities for physical activity (e.g., extra recess, a dance party), or provide special classroom privileges (e.g., choosing a class activity or book to read).
➜ Offer to bring in non-food rewards (e.g., books, school supplies) to your child’s teacher or the school.
➜ E-mail or discuss with other parents the importance of having healthy student rewards and come up with new ways to recognize students.
➜ Join the school or district committee (e.g., wellness committee) that sets the policies for health and wellness, and work to include language about healthy student rewards.
➜ Reach out to local businesses and organizations and ask them to help recognize students in their local school (e.g., coupons to stores, free tickets to community events or activities, or free service, such as a haircut or dance class).
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