Family and Community Engagement
By Kristen
Next week, I'll be in Washington DC for the 2011 National Teacher and State Teacher of the Year Washington Recognition events. On Thursday, May 5, I will be participating in a round table discussion with high level staff at the U.S. Department of Education. There are six discussion group topics (school turnarounds, teacher preparation, safe and healthy schools, effective teaching, school leadership, and family and community engagement), and at this time, I'm not sure which group I will be placed in. Teachers, parents, and community members- I would love your thoughts on each of the topics so that I can bring your ideas and questions to the table as well. I will be posting each topic daily this week, along with some focusing questions.
Topic 1: Family and Community Engagement
* How do we get family and community groups involved in our schools?
* What are ways that family and community groups can help our schools?
* How can teachers effectively partner with their families?
* What family/community and school partnerships exist in the schools in your community (or in the schools that you teach at)?
* What can be done at the national level to foster family and community partnerships?
For Our Kids
April 25th, 2011 at 7:48 am
Kristen,
The problem with the Hawaii's public school system is that teachers don't flunk the students who are supposed to flunk. I'm not talking so much about the elementary school or intermediate school level. I'm talking about the high school level. It is almost impossible to flunk out of a Hawaii public high school. Kids usually drop out or get their GED before they are flunked. The "top" students that come out of public high schools are great - they are prepared for life. However, the students who are at the bottom of the class, but who STILL GRADUATE, are seriously lacking basic skills. Some cannot even write a proper sentence or spell simple words. High school teachers need to grow some balls and start flunking the students that deserve to flunk. Simple as that.
April 25th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Perhaps schools need to jump on the social media bandwagon too. Many parents and students are connected via Facebook and text messaging - schools might be able to use that to engage parents and students alike.
Personally, I loved when my son had a school planner and the teachers wrote comments in it. I had to sign off every day - as did every teacher - and it helped to keep everyone accountable. I also liked when teachers sent me e-mails to let me know how my son was doing in class.
There are many people/businesses/groups that want to help schools but don't know how to go about it. It takes work but everyone needs to get themselves out there in the community. On the other hand, you don't want to inundate others for help or donations... maybe the schools need to partner up for certain things, too.
One of my friends has volunteered at her daughters' schools for years. Her employer allows her to have a flexible schedule to allow her to do so. A program like this could be encouraged at the national level.
April 26th, 2011 at 5:27 am
Mr. B- How do you think the families and community can help with the problems you see?
snow- Thank you so much for the great ideas! I think you're right about schools jumping on the social media bandwagon. I have teacher friends who connect with their parents through closed Facebook groups and it works really well. I also love the ideas of schools partnering up and working together with businesses and groups. You're right about community groups wanting to help schools but just not knowing how they best can be of service. I'd like to explore this topic more! Maybe contact community groups and start a list for schools of what is available...
April 26th, 2011 at 7:13 pm
I know an easy, guaranteed way of getting local families involved in their child's education. For example if you want to get parents involved in PTA, then school needs to serve free Loco Moco plates, all-you-can eat mac salad, and all you can drink Malolo Syrup drink. Also, hold a raffle and give away free trips to Vegas, free bags of white rice, and free cases of Spam and Vienna Sausage. That's how Long's attracts customers to their stores - they put Vienna Sausage on sale - $5 per case. Everyone flocks down to the store.
It may sound like I'm being facetious, but I'm totally serious. Locals are motivated by food and Vegas. One time my kids' school offered free Pizza Hut Pizza - EVERYONE came - incredible, but sad.
If parents need to be "motivated" to get involved, then there is no hope. If their kid's education and future is not motivation enough, then all hope is lost. The sad thing is that many parents will not get involved in their kid's schools, but they will gladly watch hours and hours of American Idol, The Biggest Loser, Dancing with the Stars, etc.
April 27th, 2011 at 11:20 am
In my area, our school has fundraisers that are tied into food places. They partner with a different restaurant every quarter or so, and on that night a percentage of the sales goes to the school. Since a lot of families eat out now days, why not go to that restaurant to support your school.
Our PTA also has a movie night at the school where families come and watch a recent release of a movie and they give out free popcorn and juice. It doesn't make any money for the school, but it brings the community together and shows support for the school.
Our school also has a jog-a-thon that is sponsored by a local business and is also a fundraiser. People donate money for every lap a child completes or just a straight donation. The business passes out t-shirts, water bottles, etc to the kids with their logo and stuff on them.