Want your child to become a good student? Be involved - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Researchers are saying the key to your child's confidence and behavior lies in how involved you are in their education. The Douglas County School System is doing their part to help parents help their children.
    
Third grader Sumairah Khan can list all the things her mother does for her and her three sisters.

"She works, she cleans, she cooks, she vacuums, she feeds us, she plays with us," said Khan.

But Khan says what she loves most is when her mother comes to check up on her at her Douglas County school. Louna Khan says she's involved at all four of her children's schools, and it keeps her busy.

"Simply the fact that the parents come into the school helps a child emotionally and psychologically. When they come to check out our resources, they help their children by enriching them at home with the materials that we have," said Sally Luna, Parent Outreach Facilitator and Interpreter at Lithia Springs Elementary School.

Douglas County schools have parent resource rooms to help foster a welcoming environment for parents. Luna says she sees about 150 parents a month. They can come to her to check out books, games or simply talk with her about how they can help their children. At Lithia Springs Elementary School, test scores have improved every year. Luna attributes this, in large part, to parents.

"And they don't even have to physically see their parents, just knowing that their mom and dad came to see me for some reason, it makes them happy," said Luna

In most districts around the state, you can stay involved with your child online. A parent portal allows you to stay abreast and informed about every aspect of your child's school life.

"You can go in and check the calendar here, the schedule, the attendance. You can also get messages from the district,also messages from the school and messages from your child's teacher," said Barbara Lark, Parent Outreach Facilitator at Turner Middle School

In some districts text messaging is also available. They're small ways to show your child you'd do whatever it takes to make sure they have a good education.  

"I told them I would go to college with them. Get my masters, and they said ‘sure mom, you can come on,'" said Khan.

Whether it's a PTA meeting, school play, or simply lunch with your child, come to school as often as possible. It shows you value their education, and kids care about what you care about.