Parent Involvement Matters.Org eNEWS Archive
ParentInvolvementMatters.Org is a leading resource in helping educators, parent leaders, consultants and trainers who are working to increase parent involvement in schools. If you are working in this field and have not yet signed up to be in our free Online Consultant Directory, we invite you follow the easy process to register. Coffee, Tea or Latté? A Cafe Conversation with Karen Firminger The Bear Creek School, Redmond, WA Have you ever wished you could sit down in your favorite neighborhood coffee spot with a genuine ParentNet expert? Someone who's had first-hand experience with the program and who is brimming with enthusiasm and ideas? Someone who's ready to take a risk and push the parameters of what we think we know about ParentNet? We recently chatted with just such a person: Karen Firminger has for five years chaired ParentNet at The Bear Creek School in Redmond, Washington, where the program is now an integral part of the school's culture. Under Karen's guidance, ParentNet has grown and evolved in some unexpected ways – including a parent book club! So we were delighted to share a latté with this dynamo, who is sure to inspire and energize you. Our Q&A conversation covers a lot of territory, including: How ParentNet can “take root” and grow in a school. How to help teachers start embracing the program. How to keep your school’s top administrator in the loop and supportive. How to make the ParentNet tools, including the contract, work for you. How multi-grade-level events can draw big crowds and build community. How partnering with your PTA, PTO or Booster Club can benefit everyone. How to publicize your events to increase parent turnout. How to recruit volunteers based on their gifts and interests. We invite you enter our virtual cafe and enjoy your latté or herbal tea as you eavesdrop on our conversation with Karen Firminger. Ready? Enter the Virtual Cafe Here. ParentNet Materials Online ParentInvolvementMatters.org supports participtating ParentNet schools with an amazing array of materials for your program. A Starter Kit containing all the information needed to begin ParentNet is available for purchase as well as pre-printed flipcharts, brochures, DVD, etc. Visit Online Store. We also offer lots of free materials to support your program through ParentNet Central. Please Spread the Word about ParentInvolvementMatters.Org Forward This Newsletter to a Friend or Colleague!		FEATURED BOOK Parents as Partners in Education: Families and Schools Working Together by Eugenia Hepworth Berger This highly regarded book for educators, school administrators, and parent leaders presents family involvment from the perspective of both teachers and parents. A very comprehensive book that includes recent research on brain development and information on family resource centers, it is an essential reference for everyone working to build parent-school partnerships. Learn More FEATURED ORGANIZATION & RESEARCH Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership Lexington, KY Congratulations to the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership for their continued excellent work in developing parent-school partnerships. The Institute trains parents in leadership and other skills and then supports them as they work in schools and communities as advocates for all students. Please read the recent evaluative research on their program and/or visit their website. FEATURED e-PUBLICATION We highly recommend The Evaluation Exchange, a newsletter available online through the Harvard Family Research Project. The current issue highlights "Building the Future of Family Involvement." You can subscribe to this fine publication here.

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