Here are a few ideas from principals Yolanda Z. Ramirez, Marie Kostick, and Mary Ellen Imbo. Parents sit in the hallway and read to a child or groups of children. Parents remind other parents of meeting times or special events. Those reminders can help motivate parents who are reluctant to participate. We have a Parent Center.
Parents can spend an hour or a day.
Our parent involvement specialist plans workshops for parents on topics of interest. Teachers send students to my office and ask me to call the parents at home or work to celebrate a specific success. Parents act as classroom monitors when students take standardized tests. We hold a Grandperson's Day on the Friday before Mother's Day. Then the grandperson accompanies the child to lunch and recess.