How to Involve Parents in a Multicultural School

This book presents an elementary school principal's perspective on parent involvement in an urban school that serves a diverse student population. The author, Bruce Davis, describes the national origins of his students: China, Hong Kong, Laos, Taiwan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Mayanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Peru, and Columbia. Davis relates many techniques he and his staff use to involve parents in the life of the school, including student awards assemblies, "positive" telephone calls to parents, annual "Read-Ins," voice mail systems, safety patrols, surveys, pledges, and shared decision making. Davis emphasizes learning about the cultures of the students in the school, building personal relationships with them and their parents, welcoming diverse opinions, and telling the truth.