Yeah, Vegas!! "Getting Parents Fired Up for Education"

I'm always excited and happy to read articles like the one I found on Ed.gov.  The article "Las Vegas Parents Get Fired Up for Education" shares a great example of what can happen when schools, parents and students come together to "foster home-to-school relationships".  The article talks about how the Clark County School District has several partnerships in place that helped to make its "Family Enrichment Day" a successful event.  Over 400 parents showed up to the event, in which they were exposed to various enrichment activities, speakers, and programs aimed at improving the success of students.  The continuous theme of the event was that parents are critical in the success of their children, both socially and academically.  As a teacher, this point has always been a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy, and I work very hard to let the parents of my students know that I am always available to communicate and work with them.  I would love to see more districts implementing a "Family Enrichment Day" instead of only bringing parents in when there's a parent teacher conference or a disciplinary problem with a student.  The "Family Enrichment Day" provides a relaxing atmosphere where parents, teachers, and students can air their concerns, learn how to move forward successfully, and have fun with learning at the same time.