From summer field trips to classroom volunteering, a Pewaukee elementary school is trying to increase parents' involvement in their children's education and hopes that a state grant might help that happen. The grant was one of only 22 awarded statewide to school districts that are reaching out to parents and community members to get them involved in their schools.
All schools make a point of noting that parental involvement helps increase children's achievement.
Parents and staff members at Pewaukee Lake, however, said their school is making an extra effort on the volunteer front. Last year, the council was formed to involve parents in school goal-making and to increase their discussions with teachers about the expectations of each group. Nagel and parent Susan Taylor, who is also on the council, said they're especially excited about the activity packet. The packet is to include ideas for things that parents can do with their children over the summer. Ideas could range from at-home science experiments to local summer classes to short trips for the entire family, Nagel and Taylor said.