Sean Spiller is president of the New Jersey Education Association. This first appeared in nj.com.

With Labor Day behind us, our summer is over and the new school year has arrived in New Jersey. Of course, for most families and educators, that process has been underway for a while, with students across the state already practicing with their teams, rehearsing with the band, or frantically trying to finish their summer reading.

Back-to-school shopping is done and parents are turning their attention to getting everyone back into their regular routines. And my colleagues across the state, from teachers to custodians to secretaries to librarians and beyond, have their classrooms, hallways and playgrounds ready to welcome students for another year.

And as this school year starts, one thing is for sure: it’s going to take parents, students and educators working together to achieve the success that we all expect. Does that sound cliche? Maybe. For most of my 20-plus year career as a teacher and public school advocate, I would have thought that the importance of those relationships could go without saying.

But this year it bears saying because there is a small but loud minority working overtime to divide our school communities. They are making wild allegations, spreading misinformation and seeking to sow distrust. It’s a cynical move, calculated to serve a political agenda that has nothing to do with the safety or success of our students.

I’ve seen it on Facebook, read it in blogs and heard it at board of education meetings. It’s corrosive, and it’s all intended to break down trust and instill fear. So, no matter how absurd it all is, it cannot stand unchallenged. To serve our children, their vitriol and accusations need to be replaced with dialogue and partnership.

So let me say it loudly, directly and without any ambiguity: Parents, you are our most important partners when it comes to student success.

We know that open, two-way communication between school and home is a prerequisite for achieving the best outcome for everyone. That’s why we are excited to show you your child’s classroom at back-to-school night in September and to discuss their progress at conferences later in the fall. It’s why so many schools, especially in the younger grades, encourage parents, who can, to volunteer at school, whether every week or even once a year. Your presence is important, so it’s welcomed and encouraged.

Even if a parent can’t come in person, they can always reach out with an email, a call or send a note back to school. If it’s a question about an assignment or a concern about something in the curriculum, outreach to the teacher is always in order. If a parent is curious about something that happened in class or on the playground, we want to know that, too.

Of course, that goes both ways. When we see a student struggling with a certain subject, we let parents know so they can provide extra support at home. When there’s a behavioral issue that can’t be resolved as quickly as needed, we involve parents so everyone understands what is going on and what needs to improve. When we see a student excel, we reach out so everyone can share in their success. That’s nothing new. It’s the same partnership that’s existed for decades and has made New Jersey’s schools the best in the nation.

And rest assured that we will continue giving New Jersey’s public school students the education they deserve. As a parent myself, I know all parents want their children to be safe and to learn and grow. The dedicated teachers and educational support staff I represent are working as hard as ever to reach and teach every student and to provide them with a robust and comprehensive learning experience.

We will continue to challenge and support our students because that is where growth and learning come from. And we are going to do it in an environment that welcomes, nurtures and accepts every student who walks through the door, even if that student looks, acts, or believes in a way that is different than some of their classmates. That commitment is built into the DNA of public education.

So parents, this year, if you see or hear something that makes you wonder what is going on at your child’s school, remember that you don’t have to wonder or worry. You can ask, and you can be sure there is a teacher, a counselor, or other caring professional who is willing and eager to answer your questions and to work with you to make sure your child is safe, supported and on the road to success.

We are in this together with one goal: to make sure your child has a great school year.