Bringing the community into school

　　IN most Western countries schools are a really important part of the community.

　　For example, in Britain, schools are governed by boards of governors (理事会). Such boards will include the school head teacher, teachers, parents of students and other people from the community.

　　There are parents' evenings. At a parents' evening, parents go along to discuss their child's work with the teachers. In one-to-one talks teachers tell the parents how the kids is doing and ask for the parents' own input (投入). If kids are not working hard, they may find themselves told off (被批评) after a parents' evening! If a kid is trying hard, but has a problem, the parents and the teachers try to work out a way to help.

　　There are other ways in which parents get involved (参与). Schools put on plays, at Christmas and on other festivals. Moms and dads come along to watch their kids' first steps in acting.

　　Schools also hold Sports Days. These are like miniature Olympic Games. Parents go along to watch their kids competing in a number of games - some quite a lot more fun than those in the Olympics. I remember taking part in a three-legged race (竞赛) when I was a kid!