Columnist Sandy Thompson: Parents should head back to school, too

Sandy Thompson

Friday, Aug. 24, 2001 | 4:30 a.m.

Sandy Thompson is vice president/associate editor of the Las Vegas Sun. She can be reached at 259-4025 or e-mail at thompson@lasvegassun.com

AS CHILDREN prepare to return to Las Vegas Valley classrooms this week, so should their parents.

If you think that your only role in your child's education is buying notebooks and pencils, new shoes and jeans or backpacks, think again. Better yet, just think.

It's a fact that children fare better in life and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors if their parents are involved with them, especially in their education.

The Clark County School District has come under intense criticism for failing to properly educate our children. Critics blame the public school system and teachers. They favor private or charter schools or private companies to take over failing schools.

Lost in the loud and furious debate is the significance of a key ingredient to successful schools and a good education: Parental involvement.

Look at the valley's better schools where students perform well. Most have strong parent involvement whether it's as part of organized volunteer groups or attendance at school-sponsored events and parent-teacher conferences.

Look at the schools where students don't perform well. Chances are they don't have a PTA and teachers have to beg parents to come to a conference about their own child.

This isn't rocket science. It's common sense.

Some parents think their involvement in their children's education ends after elementary school. Sure, it's easier to meet the one teacher your child has each year. Baking cookies or buying treats for class parties is no problem. You may even pop into school one day to have lunch with your child in the cafeteria. (Be sure to bring Tums.)

Then comes middle school and now your child has several classes, each with a different teacher. Also, puberty is setting in and you think your child is getting too old to want you around.

By high school, most parents disappear all together. "My son would be embarrassed if I volunteered at school or went to one of his classes," one mother says.

At a recent education meeting, a teacher remarked that parents should "cut the apron strings" and not be around high school with their kids. Another teacher disagreed, saying that's the time kids need their parents the most.

The latter makes more sense. You don't have to be on campus every day breathing down teachers' necks or tucking your sophomore son into his desk. But, yes, you should meet all his teachers or at least know their names. You should attend open house and get an idea of his daily routine and the objectives for each of his courses. Attend his concerts, games or other extracurricular activities.

It does not require massive amounts of time. Even a few hours will go a long way toward showing children not only that they are important, but also that their education is important.

Your child may appear embarrassed if you show up in class one day or volunteer at school. But inwardly, he may welcome your presence. Other kids whose parents aren't involved in their school life sometimes are envious.

When you go home after a hard day's work and greet your child, don't just ask how his day was. Be more specific. What did he do in math class? What event did they discuss in history class?

In other words, open a two-way dialogue.

Since this is a betting town, consider this: The odds that children will grow into productive, successful adults are better when parents are involved in their lives.

Take those odds. The payoff is great.