May 14, 2024 – North Hills Elementary School recognized some of its most exceptional parent volunteers with their Parent of the Month breakfast on Tuesday morning.
North Hills selected 10 parents and family members who volunteered with the school this year as Parent of the Month for September through June. Nominees were chosen based on their communication and engagement with the school, considering factors like providing updated contact information, being active on ClassDojo, appearing at parent conferences regardless of the subject matter, and making plenty of time to help out in classrooms. Parent volunteers provide both essential assistance in performing classroom activities and an extra positive adult presence in the lives of students, so North Hills wants to make sure that the parents who make extra time for their students know how much they are appreciated.
“We can’t do this without our parents,” said Family Engagement Coordinator Roslyn Payne. “Their support plays a crucial role in creating a positive learning environment for all students.”
The 10 winners were all invited to the school on Tuesday morning for a breakfast sponsored by Biscuitville #162 and the Winston-Salem chapter of The Links, Inc. They were presented with gift bags and instructional tools they can use to help their children keep learning at home, including a copy of the workbook "Ten Steps to Helping Your Child Succeed in School" by Michael Wynn. The occasion was a good chance to both recognize all the effort that parents have put into this school year and set them up for continued success in the future.
“One of my goals in my vision is to build better relationships with parents,” said K-2 Assistant Principal Centrellis Adams. “We want to close the gap between school and home, so we want to make sure we’re reaching out.”
Elementary school is a critical time in a student’s academic and social development, and it’s arguably the time when parent volunteers can make the biggest difference in their child’s education. By being available whenever the school needs them, parents can play a more active role in the academic process, and their students are better prepared for the future as a result.
“If you have any middle schoolers or high schoolers, you know it starts getting more and more difficult to have that involvement,” said Interim Principal Angela McHam. “It’s important to stay involved in supporting your student, supporting your teachers, and keeping those lines of communication open.”