For this module I was able to meet with the Director. Something that I learn was that the Director has an undergrad certification in early childhood education. She has 7 years of experience in K-1st grade and 5 years experience in administration.
I asked the Director questions regarding parent involvement. I learned that these years the Director as well as the teachers have set two school goals when it comes to parent engagement or parent involvement. One is that 90 % of parents will attend family events such as parent conference, literacy night and end of the year festival, etc. Second goal is that every classroom will host at least two parent events / activities anytime throughout the year. I was really impressed to hear that the teachers are on board with hosting two events for their class. The Director hosts a monthly "coffee with the director " and meets with parents to hear from them and relates messages to the parent coordinator.
The director mention she has an open door policy, the school has a website that is updated regularly, and she is responsible for overseeing the goals for parent engagement. Another goal she will be working on is how to reach out to get the parents involved in volunteer in the toddler and preschool classroom. She shared that the more involved parents are those of the children in the head start program.
It was a good interview and I got some pretty good insight of some of the schools strengths and challenges when it comes to parent involvement from a center perspective. I also got good ideas to bring back in to my workplace on the different activities that we can provide to parents where they can meet with their child’s teacher.
I asked the Director questions regarding parent involvement. I learned that these years the Director as well as the teachers have set two school goals when it comes to parent engagement or parent involvement. One is that 90 % of parents will attend family events such as parent conference, literacy night and end of the year festival, etc. Second goal is that every classroom will host at least two parent events / activities anytime throughout the year. I was really impressed to hear that the teachers are on board with hosting two events for their class. The Director hosts a monthly "coffee with the director " and meets with parents to hear from them and relates messages to the parent coordinator.
The director mention she has an open door policy, the school has a website that is updated regularly, and she is responsible for overseeing the goals for parent engagement. Another goal she will be working on is how to reach out to get the parents involved in volunteer in the toddler and preschool classroom. She shared that the more involved parents are those of the children in the head start program.
It was a good interview and I got some pretty good insight of some of the schools strengths and challenges when it comes to parent involvement from a center perspective. I also got good ideas to bring back in to my workplace on the different activities that we can provide to parents where they can meet with their child’s teacher.
Websites are an excellent tool for parents to know what is going on. Facebook and other social feeds are other excellent ways for parents to be reminded of what is going on to increase their involvement in the centers. I used to take much of my newsletter information and post it to a blog for parents when I was a lead teacher in a Pre-kindergarten classroom. The internet can be an excellent tool for strengthening parental knowledge to pull for higher parent involovement numbers.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having the teachers be responsible for hosting a parent event in their classroom. At the center where I am the Director we have many different family/parent involvement activities. I think it would be interesting for the teachers to come up with an event to host for their parents. They may find that they have specific areas that their class is struggling with and this may allow them to plan an event to help.
ReplyDeleteI am very fortunate to work in a private preschool setting. Our families are very involved in their child's education. We generally have about an 85-90% attendance rate for our family events.
I love your idea of having the teachers host a family night. The teachers at the host school I am at did a survey and handed it out to the parents to see why they are not as involved and would they start particpating if they start having family read night or just family night once a month and so far they are gotten a big response so now they are waiting on the director to approve it and set it up for them. I just think once the staff get motivated then the parents will get motivated to getting involved.
ReplyDeleteHi Vanessa
ReplyDeleteSometimes we work in a place for a long time and do not have the opportunity to meet the director. One good experience is to interview a director that you are not working with; in my opinion directors face many challenges, especially parents involved in volunteer. Most of the parents are too busy, some of them work and go to school, and with babies it is very hard to have time for volunteer, or go to workshops. Nothing is impossible we have some parents that are very interested in their children’s future, and they make time for them. That is a good idea to set up goals and do things that make parents be more involved.
It is wonderful that the teachers want to take the extra time to plan two family events for their classrooms. I find that 90% of parent participation is awesome. We hosted a family game night at my school and we were lucky to have 60% of families attend. This school year it seems that no matter what we do or how we promote it parents are not interested. Last year was different and I can't wait to meet next week to discuss this.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of "Coffee with the Director." This gives the parents a chance to meet informally with the director and share their thoughts in a non-threatening way. I think I am going to share this idea. Thanks for your post!
Hi Vanessa, I think that Parent Involvment is an important issue. I am glad to hear that this director thinks that it is important to have parent involvment. I am glad to hear that the teachers are all on board with trying to bring in the parents and to support the event.
ReplyDelete