All in: Getting parents involved from the start

Classrooms organized, pencils sharpened, music selected. School’s back in session and everyone’s ready to get back into the swing of things. No one is more excited about the start of school than parents – and not just because their kids are back in the classroom. Parents are your performers’ biggest supporters and there’s nothing like a new school year to reignite their passion for your program.

Why parents matter

Parents are key to the success of your program in ways you may not have considered, especially if your program is just getting off the ground. Beyond the important emotional roles parents play as encouragers, supporters and cheerleaders of your student performers, they can serve in a host of practical roles as well. Assisting with concerts, managing the booster club, spearheading fundraising efforts and chaperoning trips are just a few ways that parents can serve your program. If you haven’t filled some of those roles with parents eager to help, how can you get started? Host a great parent meeting.

Start the year out right

Kick off the year by inviting parents and their students to a meeting explaining your program, the concerts, competitions and events you’ll be involved in during the year. Outline the needs of your program and give parents the opportunity to fill in those roles do what they do best – support. If you have veteran performer parents, give them a chance to talk about how much your program means to their students. Give these experienced volunteers bigger roles to play and they’ll encourage newer parents to jump in as well. This meeting is also the ideal time to highlight the exciting details of your group’s upcoming travel if you have a trip planned for this school year. You’ll want to plan a more in-depth, trip-specific meeting for another date – there are a lot of travel details to cover. For that meeting, take advantage of the tips we outlined in this post.

Keep ’em engaged

Once you have your parents excited and eager to support your program, keep them involved by including them throughout the year. Make a point to truly get to know these cheerleaders, thank them regularly and acknowledge them at events. Many of them have made significant investments of time and money so their students can participate. Making them feel appreciated will help keep them involved in their students’ activities for years to come.

Get this year kicked off right with excited students and involved, supportive parents! If this is the year your group gets a travel experience on the calendar, we’d love to help. Reach out today and let’s make travel a part of this year’s program.