Engage Parents to Promote Healthy Schools

Parents have a powerful role in supporting children’s health and learning. Use CDC’s resources to get them involved in creating a healthier school!

Schools, parents, and students benefit from parents being involved in their children’s school. Research shows that parent engagement in schools is linked to better student behavior, higher academic achievement, and enhanced social skills. As students start a new school year, parents will be looking for ways to get involved. You can engage them in school health by using the strategies and ideas in the Parents for Healthy Schools resources.

Mother And Daughter Meeting With Male Teacher

What Is Parents for Healthy Schools?

Parents for Healthy Schools is a set of resources that school groups such as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), and school wellness committees can use to get parents involved in promoting healthy schools. These resources can also be used by others interested in working with parents and getting them involved in the school, such as school nutrition directors, school administrators, school nurses, teachers, parents, and community members or organizations.

Four main resources are included in Parents for Healthy Schools:

  1. Parents for Healthy Schools: A Guide for Getting Parents Involved from K-12 pdf icon[PDF – 9MB]
  2. Parents for Healthy Schools: Making a Difference in Your Child’s School pdf icon[PDF – 4MB] (PowerPoint Presentation)
  3. Ideas for Parents tip sheets
  4. Check-in questions pdf icon[PDF – 1.3MB] that help identify ways to track progress in engaging parents.

Check out additional content at Parents for Healthy Schools.

Show Parents How to Get Involved

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