Parent & Family Involvement

Supporting your children in their learning takes two key actions: being informed and being involved in their education. Family involvement has the greatest impact on student attitudes about learning, attendance, and academic performance.

Top Three Ways to Be Involved in Your Child's Education

Stay Informed

  • Stay in touch with classroom teachers, principals, and other staff who work with your child.
  • Plan to attend one of the School Board’s bi-monthly meetings or listen to a meeting podcast, available through the School Board website.
  • Read your school’s newsletter. School newsletters are published at least quarterly, while some schools publish monthly or even more often. Look for it in the mail, on your school’s website, or in your child’s backpack mail if at elementary school. The newsletters are full of information from teachers, school counseling, school nurses, librarians, and communication from the school principal.
  • Come to school events such as Parent Information Nights, Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings, Back to School Night, and School Counseling-sponsored programs. Meet the teachers and find out about your child’s classes. You’ll be surprised at how much you can learn about what’s going on at school and how you can be involved in your child’s education. PTO meetings are open to all.
  • Check your school’s official website and your school's PTO website. Your school website has lots of useful information, including a link to the school PTO webpage. You may also visit the Albemarle County Public Schools Parent Council website.
  • Most schools produce a newsletter that you can view online or download; some offer news blogs that you can subscribe to.  Visit your school's web site to see what they provide.
  • Maintain accurate contact information at your school. Albemarle County Public Schools now uses an Electronic School Notification System to send reminders to parents via phone, e-mail, and text message. Make sure we have your correct phone numbers and e-ail addresses so you can be in the loop.

Be Part of Life at Your School

  • Attend athletic and cultural events. Check the calendar online, read the school newsletters, talk to your children, and discover the many activities at your child's school. Bring your family. Spend an enjoyable evening, meet other parents, and support our talented students.
  • Join the PTO. All parents, staff and faculty, and any interested members of the community, are welcome to attend monthly meetings and get involved. No registration is required. Monthly meeting times and minutes are generally posted on school web pages.
  • Spread the word. Tell those you know about your work with Albemarle County Schools and invite them to become involved.
  • Support fundraising efforts at your school. Serve on a planning committee or attend fundraising events. Join in the fun or make a donation. Funds collected from PTO donations and other fundraising activities are used to support the students, teachers and staff at your school.

Volunteer Your Time and Talent

Parents may help tutor in the classroom, speak at a career day, help in the office or at a special event, or take a project home to complete and return to school. Whether you’re new to the school or a veteran parent, volunteering is a great way to get involved, meet other parents, provide a terrific service and show your children that you care about their education and their school.

For more information about volunteering in our schools, visit our Volunteer Program page or contact Gloria Rockhold, Community Engagement Manager, at 434-293-0288.

Albemarle County Public Schools also has the following division-wide committees that parents can become part of:

  • Parent Council
  • Special Education Advisory Council
  • Gifted Advisory Council
  • Title I Advisory Council
  • Health Advisory Council
  • School Improvement Programs at each school