Calendar Handbook - Frederick County Public Schools

The Calendar Handbook for 2011–2012 6
Visit and Volunteer
Schools welcome visitors who want to learn more
about our programs, meet staff and tour the facilities.
When visiting a school, please register at the school office
upon arrival, and arrange meetings and classroom visits
in advance to be sure the time is appropriate. More about
visiting schools is included later in this handbook.
We encourage family members and other citizens to
lend a helping hand or share their expertise with students
through our volunteer program or by serving on school
system committees. Most schools have a Parent Teacher
Association (PTA), which offers an excellent avenue for
becoming involved in school life. ★
Family and Community: involved
Play an Active Role
Family and community involvement pay huge dividends
in a child’s education. Every school day, FCPS parents
support education, knowing it takes strong teamwork
among teachers, families, community partners and schools
to provide the first-class education all children deserve.
Help children succeed:
✓ Expect youngsters to do their best in school
✓ Ask what they learned in class
✓ Encourage them to find out more
✓ Provide space, time and materials for homework
✓ Ensure nutritious meals, physical activity and rest
✓ Read and talk with children about books
✓ Limit television viewing and other passive activities
✓ Champion trustworthiness, respect, responsibility,
fairness, caring and citizenship
✓ Keep informed and learn about the issues that affect
education through conferences, notes, phone calls,
newsletters, FindOutFirst e-mail, FCPS TV and
www.fcps.org
Parents, to get more involved:
✓ Come to PTA and school events
✓ Chaperone field trips
✓ Speak on career days
✓ Assist in classrooms
✓ Volunteer time on the School Improvement Team
or PTA
✓ Serve on a BOE, FCPS or PTA advisory committee
(see page 2)
✓ Ask teachers how you can assist
Businesses and community:
Lots of businesses and community volunteers partner
with FCPS to spark student interests and enrich education,
inside and beyond the classroom. At every school, a partnership
helps in at least one way to:
✓ Donate supplies, funds, coupons, rewards and
incentives
✓ Provide mentors and internships
✓ Hire work-study students
✓ Host field trips
✓ Judge competitions
✓ Speak on career days and help with mock interviews
✓ Visit classrooms to help students
✓ Sponsor scholarships
✓ Serve on School Improvement Teams and advisory
committees
For more about getting involved, contact the local
school. ★