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Parent volunteers have long played a vital role in public schools. From serving on the PTA to planning the class party, parents that give of their time, energy, and talents are often responsible for making the public school system what it is for the students. However, few parents who immerse themselves in class volunteer projects realize the far-reaching benefits those few hours provide. Check out these ten ways parental involvement improves school performance for students and schools.

Positive Early Start

Parents are the first teachers which children have, according to a report in the Tahlequah Daily Press. This gives parents the unique opportunity to positively influence students before the first school bell ever rings. By tackling those early learning issues head-on, parents are also better prepared to get involved with their children’s schooling once they head off to public schools.

“There is an obvious difference in children who have participated in activities from an early age,” Susan VanZant, the principal at Greenwood Elementary School in Oklahoma, told the Daily Press. VanZant added that the advantages can continue if parents remain in contact with the teacher throughout their child’s schooling.

“The teacher is always the first go-to person, especially with questions about curriculum,” VanZant explained. Teachers can also be the best contact for questions about discipline, behavior, and social issues unless another school employee is specifically appointed for this purpose. For example, Greenwood

While every parent hopes for academic success for their children, most are unsure how to go about nurturing and guiding their children to that success. Students that are successful in the classroom often exhibit similar characteristics, no matter what their age, gender, or cultural background. By identifying the characteristics common to successful students, parents can go to work helping their kids develop those traits that will reap the greatest benefit for them in school.

Eagerness to Learn

Children who perform best in school have a natural eagerness to learn new things. According to , much of that eagerness stems from parents and others in the child’s life that have offered a world of interesting things to discover. When children are exposed to many different environments at a young age, they quickly learn that the world is a big, interesting place just waiting for them to explore. However, parents that work this concept too hard may burn a child out on the learning process before school even begins. It is also important for kids to have plenty of free time both with other children and alone to create and play.

This TedTalk discusses the importance of every child needing a champion.

Love of Reading

The states that the most important thing parents can do to ensure their children’s success in school is to nurture a love of

Your kids will get better grades if you are involved at school! A 2008 study from the indicates that students perform much better academically if their parents are involved in the school. However, that news can create more stress for already busy parents who are trying to juggle full-time jobs and child-rearing simultaneously. The good news is that there are many ways to get involved in your child’s school without taking time off from work or further taxing an already packed schedule. Check out these ten ways busy parents can make a positive impact at their children’s schools.

Consider a Parent Club

Consider membership in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or similar group at your child’s school. Parent groups typically meet one evening a week or month to accommodate a busy work schedule. They are often involved in many of the all-school activities and stay abreast of the latest happenings within the school, according to . PTA members get to know many of the school staff and play a role in the school's overall success.

Sponsor a Student Club

Student clubs may also meet in the late afternoons or evenings, and they are generally looking for adult sponsors. High schools need parental help for sports teams, music and theatre productions, and other after-school clubs. Even elementary and middle schools might offer extracurricular activities at a convenient time for your schedule and in a subject where you can offer

As summer vacation approaches, kids are gearing up for the season with little regard for the academics they will leave behind when the backpacks are hung up for the year. On the other hand, parents and teachers often worry about the loss of important skills throughout the summer months, which must be retaught once school rings in again. For parents intent on avoiding the academic summer slide, there are a number of ways to keep kids’ brains in the game, even as they are looking forward to their break from the classroom.

This video offers tips to avoid the summer slump.

Keep Them Reading

Studies have shown that kids can lose up to 25 percent of their reading skills over the summer months, which can have a significant impact on their ability to get back into the school swing in the fall. A report at shows that income disparity widens the reading gap over the summer even more. Children in low-income households consistently lose more than two months of reading ability each summer. In contrast, children in middle to upper-income homes may remain steady or gain skills during vacation.

cites research that shows reading just six books over the summer can keep students on track when they return to the classroom. One way to ensure your kids keep reading all summer long is to schedule regular

A new debate in New Jersey is bringing the homework controversy to light once again. The Galloway Township school district is discussing whether students should be given homework-free weekends so that children can have more time with their families and for extracurricular activities and sports. The plan is still in the discussion phase in this district, and it will need to go before the school board for a vote before it becomes official. In the meantime, the issue has resurfaced around the country as educators discuss once again how much homework is too much and whether it is actually counterproductive to the learning process.

This video explains how schools in California, New York, and Maryland are taking a progressive shift to completely eliminate homework for all students.

Why Galloway is Talking

The Galloway Township is considering recommendations from district officials and school board members to limit the amount of homework students receive. The recommendations have come through research, as well as parent-teacher surveys. According to the Huffington Post, officials making the recommendations have determined that less homework will allow additional time for students to focus on extracurricular activities and spend more quality time with their families. Many of the parents and school officials in the district have also voiced their frustration overstressed students who can’t seem to find enough hours in the day to complete assignments – especially when some of the homework looks like simple “busy work” on the surface.

“We really believe