San José Unified School District

Parent Involvement

Parent Participation Makes a Difference

It is a well-known fact that parental involvement is key to student success. Researcher Anne T. Henderson summarized it best in her findings on nearly 50 studies related to parental involvement and concluded: School programs which have strong parent involvement produce students who perform better than otherwise identical programs that do not involve parents as thoroughly. Children whose parents help them at home and stay in touch with the school score higher than children of similar aptitude and family background. Also, schools where children are failing improve dramatically when parents are called in to assist.

In interviews with high achievers (world-class swimmers, scholars, and research mathematicians, etc.) the conclusions were all similar on the importance of the home environment on the development of talent. Except in a few rare cases all the students excelled because parents placed high value on one of their talent areas music, art, sport or intellectual activities. Parent support made the difference in their achievement.

What is Available Regarding Parent Education?

Throughout the year, the Office of Parent Education and Involvement, managed by Elizabeth Bliss, offers training, workshops, classes, conferences, college and career nights and special events, including open forums for parents in the District who have questions or request help with their children’s education.  The Office also serves to assist and support schools with ideas, strategies and recruitment that will encourage and motivate parents to take an active role in the academic success of their student(s).
Some of the upcoming events sponsored by the Office of Parent Education include:

• Elementary Parenting Classes (September - May)
• Orientation Classes for parents of students entering Middle and High School (September – November)
• Parent Computer Classes (October - May)
• The Rosetta Stone a tool for parents to learn English at their own pace (September – May)
• The PLAZA Comunitaria in collaboration with INEA and the Mexican Consulate of San Jose (September – May)
• Traffic Safety for Parents (September 29)
• College Presentations or Forums to assist parents in supporting their student’s college education (October- May)
• Parent Leadership Institute (TBA)
• Parent Liaison Training (TBA)
• The Annual Parent Education Conference: Fitness and Nutrition (October 10)
• A Tribute To Women (TBA), Emergency Prepardness Fair (TBA)

We encourage every parent to visit schools and classrooms and take advantage of every opportunity to volunteer. When visiting a school site, please remember to sign in at the office.
For further information contact Elizabeth Bliss (535-6405).

Contact Information

Elizabeth Bliss - Manager (408) 535 - 6405 -  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Martha Pinedo - Staff Secretary (408) 535 - 6404

Sara Arevalo - Parent Education Trainer (408) 535 - 6603

Anita Contreras - Parent and Community Liaison (408 ) 535 - 6493

TBA - Academic Counselor / Parent Resource Teacher - (408) 535 - 6707

Chart of Office of Parent Education & Involvement

Resources for Parents

• Almaden Valley Counseling Service
• Childhood Matters The radio show for parents and all who care about kids.
• EMQ Children and Family Services
• Guadalupe River Park and Gardens
• Nuestros Niños
• Parents Helping Parents (PHP) enews
• Resource Books on Parenting
• YWCA
• Common Sense Media commonsensemedia

PTA Information