Be There Parent Engagement Campaign
Children need an adult to take a moment each day to recognize their existence, to make them feel special and loved, to Be There for them. It doesn't require additional resources of time or money--- just smiling at them, asking a question, making eye contact, including them in the daily routines of life. These simple actions will reap immense rewards at home, at play and at school.
Be There is a national movement that inspires parents to become more involved in their children's education. It is a multi-media inspirational campaign using photos and the simple message of “Be There” to encourage and inspire parents to become involved in their children’s lives by making the Everyday Ordinary Extraordinary!
The Hamilton Co. Department of Education knows that teaching doesn't stop at the school. We encourage parents to become their child's favorite teacher and to take advantage of time together by engaging in activities with their child. This can be as simple as a hug or as meaningful as stories shared.
Be There is about making ordinary activities extraordinary and parents and children becoming truly connected. Then you're there for your children their lives improve.
Visit bethere.org and reveal how you were there by sharing stories and photos that can inspire others.
How does Be There work?
Think of the highly visible "designated-driver when drinking," and "missing kids" campaigns. Their messages were everywhere - and their successes were measurable. In fact, according to The Ad Council, "Eighty-four percent of Americans recall having seen or heard a Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk public service announcement. Nearly 80 percent report they took action to prevent a friend or loved one from driving drunk, and 25 percent report they stopped drinking and driving as a result of the campaign." Those are significant results because millions of people were exposed to a powerful message over and over again. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, "If there's one thing health experts know, it's that you don't influence behavior by telling people what to do. You do it by exposing them to enough cases of people behaving well that it creates a new norm."
That's the idea behind the Be There campaign - constant inspirational reminders to Be There for children - to change behaviors and make connecting with children the new norm throughout our nation.
Be There is a multi-media campaign using pictures to inspire parents. It has several components including:
- Marketing materials sent home with children/mailed home
- Posters in each school
- Billboard campaign
- Family Fun Days at schools
In Hamilton County Schools, we are also incorporating the messages into the classroom/school through the following methods:
- Social Workers – will reinforce the Be There message and hand out materials when interacting with parents on behavior/attendance issues
- Counselors – will reinforce the Be There message and hand out materials when interacting with parents on behavior/scheduling issues
- Family Partnership Specialists – will reinforce the Be There message and hand out materials through after-school programs/activities
Be There for a child today. The benefits will last a lifetime.