Parma Plan It: Connecting with Parents

We put aside a week twice a year specifically dedicated to meeting with parents. However, I know we all realize the importance of communicating with parents throughout the school year on a regular basis. We cannot wait until conference week to notify parents of concerns, nor should we wait to celebrate the success of our kids with our parents. A few years ago we used the "It Takes A Village" theme for the school year. That is something I truly believe. We have to build a relationship with parents and let them know that they are so very important in the process of educating their children.

This past week I read a post by Matt Gomez titled Start Believing in Parents Like you Believe in Their Kids. Please take time to read his post. I believe, as Matt states, that 99.9999% of our parents value education. Chances are that many of us were blessed with parents who read to us, encouraged us to do our best, provided a calm place for us to do homework, maybe even worked in or volunteered in our school. We know that many of our parents may never do these things. Many of our parents may never feel comfortable coming into school based on their own experience. However, they want the very best for their children and want them to succeed in school.

We have also been discussing the students' role at parent teacher conferences. I know that not every one is ready for "Student Led" conferences, but we can all facilitate a conversation with the child and the parent to discuss leadership notebooks, what he or she is learning and even where they feel they are struggling and could use some support. Conferences should be an opportunity to point out GREATNESS qualities of the child to both the parent and even help the child see these qualities in him/her self.

As we approach Parent-Teacher Conferences, remember that it is not only an opportunity for parents to learn from you, but it is an opportunity for us to learn from them. No one knows our students better than their families. Listen to their insights into their child's strengths, interests, outside of school interests, etc. Our efforts to better understand their children through their insights and perspectives will help our parents know we respect them and will help build a trusting relationship between home and school that we all know is crucial.

I also feel that the emphasis should be on learning. Conference week is a great time to link our parents to learning and how they can support their child and help them learn at home. Make sure they are able to access your class blog, facebook page, newsletters, webpage, Tumble Books, specific apps, etc. Have your computer accessible to show them tools available at home from your webpage. Find out what resources they have available at home. Use this time to know how we can better facilitate learning outside of school for every child.

Every parent should leave the conference with their child's teacher at Parma Elementary with these take aways:

* feeling valued in the process to educate their child.
* feeling that they have been heard and respected.
* knowing the GREATNESS qualities their child shows at school, how their child SHINES.
* understanding challenges that they may be able to help work with at home.
* feeling encouraged to and knowing the value of reading with their child at home.