creating the conditions for parent engagement
DESCRIPTION
Presentation for the Parents as Partners series with Lorna Constantini of ourschool.ca. A focsu on ideas and questions on how principals and schools can create the conditions for parent engagement.TRANSCRIPT
Creating the Conditions forParent Engagement
Parents as Partners – November 26, 2012
Chris [email protected]
ABOUT ME
Parents are educators too. A parent is a child’s first teacher. And that does not have to end once a child
begins school. It should continue to grow and evolve with new parent, teacher, school and community
relationships; relationships that are strengthened by engaging in meaningful dialogue, mutual respect, trust
and collaboration.
Tracy Bachellier
We should contact [parents] when there is a problem, it's good when they don't "bother" us, we need them to raise money, and we can blame them
for all kinds of things we're not happy about. Unfortunately, research and experience show that these attitudes do not lead to the kind of school-
family connections that raise student achievement.Larry Ferlazzocc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Holy Outlaw:
http://flickr.com/photos/holyoutlaw/154393425/
Want to learn more about how to engage parents?
Ask PARENTS!
A principal who develops strong relationships with parents and parent groups, will have parents who are more likely to
become involved in the school community, and this in turn will have a strong impact on the overall effectiveness and
inclusiveness of the school. Sheila Stewart
Parent/Family Engagement
The difference between involvement and engagement can
be summed up as the difference between a
community dinner and a potluck.
Mary-Lou VanBerkel
cc licensed flickr photo by seniwati: http://flickr.com/photos/seniwati/5955739211/
Team or Partners?
cc licensed flickr photo by o5com: http://flic.kr/p/8XmTsG
“Opportunity for 2-way communication often IS the parent engagement”
Sheila Stewart
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by P Shanks: http://flickr.com/photos/pshanks/411196422/
Use Technology to meet parents where they are.
You can work hard to run all these events to get parents into the school…
but the most important thing is how they are treated when they are there.
Kent School Parent
It is not about technology nor is it about events…
it is about how we view parent engagement
in our schools.
cc licensed flickr photo by Dominic's pics: http://flickr.com/photos/dominicspics/4626456660/
We don’t have to agree… but we must seek to understand.
Stan Watchorn
Image: http://flic.kr/p/j3VJg
Parents are doing the best they can.
cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Manonet: http://flic.kr/p/LZeuM
Be aware of what we carry in our “invisible knapsacks”
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by Patrick McEvoy-Halston: http://flickr.com/photos/patrickmh/260205390/
Ghosts of the Pastcc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by eebeejay: http://flickr.com/photos/magnopere/268625808/
Model Care & Understanding
of DifferentGenerations
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by edanley: http://flickr.com/photos/edanley/4289324169/
Stop Labeling Parents
Telling parents is a lot different
Than working WITH parentsImage: Kumon.com
Who is at the table?
When are they at the table?cc licensed flickr photo by lrargerich: http://flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/3130536999/
School Planning Councils British Columbia
School planning councils acknowledge the importance of parental involvement and formalize the role of parents in developing plans to improve student achievement in all
schools in British Columbia.
School planning councils are advisory bodies. Their major responsibility is to develop, monitor and review school plans
for student achievement in consultation with the school community.
Build Community
cc licensed flickr photo by gibsonsgolfer: http://flic.kr/p/9xgxFb
Build Trust
Listen With Your Eyes
Personalize Parent Communication
cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by yago1.com: http://flickr.com/photos/yjv/4649068019/
Determine and work to Overcome Barriers
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by Hullaboo:
http://flickr.com/photos/kruger_otto/5581886586/
Create opportunities for dialogue when parents are already coming.
Provide Windows into Classrooms
Be Transparent.
Share the Positives
cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by krissen: http://flickr.com/photos/krissen/6340984211 /
Be Patient: Parents are new each year
Heidi Hass Gable
cc licensed flickr photo by calonda:http://flickr.com/photos/25508895@N00/181902056/
Share the School’s Stories
“As valued and trusted participants in education, it is more likely that
parent involvement will benefit principal leadership, teacher
support, and student learning, as well as contribute to an inclusive,
vibrant school community.”
Sheila Stewart
Creating the Conditions…1. Build community, build trust2. Ask parents how to best engage3. Communicate WITH parents; meet them where they are4. Truly listen5. Seek to understand6. Create opportunities for formal/informal dialogue7. Provide windows into the school – share the stories8. Be transparent9. Share the positives 10. Be patient
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