Middle School 80 is asking their students’ parents to “show them some love” through volunteering, in an effort to educate children through a community of learning.

“Come one, come all,” said Miriam Alejandro, the Norwood school’s parent recruitment coordinator who is also a teacher there. “Children want their parents to be involved. Even if they say they don’t, I know they do.”

For as little as one hour per week, parents are being asked to help MS 80’s 700-plus students by mentoring, tutoring, coaching and more. This is the first time the school has recruited parents. Alejandro said the proactive effort is in response to the low parent involvement in Bronx schools in the past.

“There are a lot of single parents around here,” she said. “Some work two jobs, some don’t know how much time they are able to give to the school. We want to show them there is more that we can do here together in order to make changes to the school.”

She added that “the doors are always open for [parents] to come in and help make their kids successful.”

So far this year, Alejandro said there has been good parent turnout at school events such as Student Curriculum Night. Parents appear to be very concerned and involved with their children, she said.

Through mentoring and volunteering, parents are not only helping the school, they’re making their kids proud, Alejandro said. This type of effort helps children see their parents in a new role. The parents, Alejandro said, are probably very talented like their children.

“We have a ton of talented kids in here,” she said. “You would be surprised at how much talent we have. I know that talent has to come from somewhere, and I think it is coming from home.”

Ed. note: To volunteer at MS 80, call Miriam Alejandro at (718) 405-6300.