Marilyn Dondero Loop
For Assembly District 5
Helping Every Student Succeed in School
Nothing is more important to a student’s success in school than the involvement of his or her family.
I was a classroom teacher for 30 years, and I saw every day the difference a parent’s involvement can make in a student’s progress in school. I was also very much involved in my own daughters’ school activities. I frequently hear from parents and grandparents that they want to get involved—both in helping their kids with schoolwork and in school activities—but they are not sure the best way to do so.
Below are several links with tips on how you can get involved and help your child or grandchild succeed in school. Here are a few tips that I think are particularly important:
• Get to know your children’s teachers, either by attending an Open House or parent-teacher conference. If you are unable to attend these events, you can contact them directly by phone, email or a visit to the school.
• Get familiar with the Clark County School District website, www.ccsd.net, where you can check your children’s grades and learn about school policies and activities.
• Homework is a critical part of your children’s education. Set aside a quiet place for study and turn off TV, music and cell phones.
Resources to Help You Get Involved
Clark County School District---You can find and track your student’s grades and get information on how you can get involved in your child’s or grandchild’s school by visiting www.ccsd.net and clicking on “Parents.”
Nevada State Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC)—PIRC’s website has a wide variety of suggestions of activities parents and grandparents can do with their children. Their website is www.nevadapirc.org.
Parent Teacher Association—the National PTA has tips on helping students with homework, instilling a love for reading, and working with teachers to help your student succeed. Visit www.PTA.org, click on “Topics” and then on “Student Success.”
US Department of Education—For a series of online brochures on topics ranging from helping your students with science and math to getting prepared for college, visit www.ed.gov and click on “Parents.”
New Legislation to Help You Participate in School
The 2009 Legislature enacted a new law requiring businesses with 50 or more employees to provide their employees up to four hours of unpaid leave a year to attend school activities or to volunteer in their children’s school. For more information on how this law works, please visit www.leg.state.nv.us. Or, you can call or email me and I will send you a copy of the legislation.
School Safety—Protecting Kids on the Way to School
Making sure our kids are safe as they go to and from school is critical. The Legislature enacted a law in 2007 that gives school police the authority to issue traffic citations around schools for speeding, double-parking and parking in “No Parking” zones.
If your child walks to school, be sure you have chosen the safest route. Make sure your child does not deviate from this route.
