(StatePoint) Children are mom and dad’s top priority, and parents want to give them every advantage in the world to succeed. But with all the time kids spend at school, parents cannot do it alone.

That’s why it’s important for the most influential adults in a child’s life to team up on a common goal.

Parents should cultivate relationships with their child’s teacher early, so they can work together toward the child’s success. 

There are several ways for parents to build a relationship with their kid’s teacher.

Introduce Yourself

Don’t wait until there is a problem before meeting the teacher. Introduce yourself as soon as possible — ideally before the stresses of the school year are in full swing. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation — just one to let the teacher know who you are and that you are interested in your child’s education.

Show Appreciation

All kids and their parents have a teacher they admire and want to thank. Taking a few minutes to share these sentiments is important and can be easy. For example, Cheerios has a new “Send Cheer to Teachers” program that makes it simple to thank favorite teachers. Parents can show gratitude, support and appreciation by simply cutting a special postcard for teachers from specially-marked boxes of Cheerios cereal, writing a personal message, and sharing a short note of thanks.

A few kind words can go a long way.

Spend Time

In today’s economy, many schools are stretched thin for resources. School systems are increasing class sizes and slashing budgets. Parents who have time can offer to help out. Whether it is chaperoning school trips, preparing items for a fundraiser or just donating old books to the classroom, this kindness will go a long way toward solidifying the parent-teacher relationship.

Help with Supplies

Teachers spend on average $398 of their own money on supplies and resources, and 92 percent of teachers use their own money to provide supplies for their students, according to the National School Supply and Equipment Association.

Through a General Mills program called Box Tops for Education, parents can earn cash for their kid’s school by clipping Box Tops coupons from participating products. In addition, from August to October, you can enter the unique code from inside specially-marked Cheer-card Cheerios boxes online to earn one bonus eBoxTops credit for your school.

And through a new Cheerios Send Cheer to Teachers sweepstakes, parents can enter for a chance to win a $20,000 prize package or one of four $5,000 prize packages made up of bonus Box Tops and supplies for their child’s school. Complete details and rules, can be found at www.btfe.com/sendcheer.

Getting to know their teachers is the best way to take an interest in children’s education. Even when they aren’t around, parents can make a difference in the classroom.

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Photo Credit: (c) Media Bakery