Parent Teacher Organization By: Cheyanne Phillips

This presentation focuses on the adolescent years of our children. We will discuss how important it is to have a partnership with the community as well as how to maintain that partnership. We will also discuss how that partnership will influence the development of the child.

Hello everyone! I am a counselor that specializes in working with teenagers and focusing on setting up their future. Beginning their freshman year we get together and set goals (ex. College choices, and careers). Throughout multiple parts of their high school years we assess the students progress and make changes where needed. The beginning of Senior year we begin applying to the colleges, work programs, or pursing any other path the student has chosen.

Higley High School Strong farming community Population of 1500 students between 9 th and 12 th grade 22% of students eligible for free and/or reduces lunch 1 % are second language learners 63 % of students are White 22 % of students are Hispanic 6 % of students are Black 5 % of students are Asian 4 % of students are American Indian Schools engaging with the community and families is very important to the success of the students. The partnerships that can be formed are extremely beneficial. For example, you can partner with the local office supply store and they can donate school supplies or in this case partner with some local farmers and set up work programs to give children opportunities to get experience and it will be free labor for the farmer. The partnerships will create numerous opportunities for the students. The development they will gain will be beneficial to the in real life experiences and it will be something they will be able to take with them for the rest of their lives.

School-Community Partnerships Expand your vision of school to include the community Reach out to the right people Connecting it with Curriculum

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System There are 5 environmental systems that influence and child and their development. Microsystem Mesosystem Exosystem Macrosystem Chronosystem- The fifth and final level of Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory is known as the chronosystem. This system consists of all of the experiences that a person has had during his or her lifetime. The chronosystem includes environmental events, major life transitions, and historical events. ( Education Portal ) Urie Bronfenbrenner was a psychologist in the US Army Air Corps. He was not satisfied with the approaches of human development. So he created an ecological systems theory which is listed below. (Danner. 2009)

Epstein’s 6 Types of Involvement Joyce Epstein received her PhD in Sociology from John Hopkins University. “In 1995, she established NNPS, which provides professional development that enables school, district, and state leaders to establish, strengthen, and sustain research-based programs of family and community involvement linked to student success in school”. (John Hopkins School of Education) Parenting Communicating Volunteering Learning at Home Decision Making Collaborating with Community

Parenting Assists schools in understanding families, assists with parenting skills, and understanding child and adolescent development. When parents have as much knowledge available to them and are able to understand what their children are going through with that they can help assist their children in learning to the best of their potential. Every month the school sends out newsletters that offer various parenting tips. If you have questions regarding these newsletters please contact myself or the school. (Epstein, Coates, Salinas, Sanders, Simon )

Communication Keeping the parents and families up to date about their child’s status and school and community functions. This is important to the development of the student because it is very important for the parents to stay connected and involved. When a barrier or disconnect is present then it can create the student to regress or develop behaviors. During registration the school will collect a mailing address and as well as ask your preference of communication. There will be a communication form go out every 6 weeks regarding the students status. If you have questions regarding a specific class feel free to contact that teacher. (Epstein, Coates, Salinas, Sanders, Simon )

Volunteering Students get to improve on their training and work skills. It is also nice to involve the entire family in the volunteer process as well as the school for a better support system for the student. Volunteering is endless in the amount of influence it can be on a child’s learning and development. They can volunteer on a farm, in a daycare, help and elder couple do yard work or housework, or clean up the community or park. Any task that requires them to create a schedule and gives them responsibility is going to help them transition into the real world. The school and the community collaborate programs to offer to the students so they can volunteer. For example, the student can enroll in a program allowing them to leave early from school to volunteer at the local sports club. (Epstein, Coates, Salinas, Sanders, Simon )

Learning at Home Getting parents and families involved in homework and learning activities. When children have the opportunity to learn at home this is just more time for them study and absorb information. Some teachers send home fun activity suggestions to do as a family, it would be fun, educational, and active for everyone. I would make it optional but the students that completed it would get extra credit. (Epstein, Coates, Salinas, Sanders, Simon )

Decision Making Giving the parents opportunities to make decisions and have a word in their children’s education and schooling. Encouraging them to get involved in PTO, and community councils. This could influence the children’s learning by the parents making certain decisions, good and bad. The newsletters mentioned earlier also include important meeting dates as well as other community event dates so that parents are able to schedule accordingly. (Epstein, Coates, Salinas, Sanders, Simon )

Collaborating with the Community Set up opportunities for students, families, schools, and businesses to work together and create partnerships. When the students have to chance to work with the local businesses and community members they will experience so many different real life lessons. The schools and the businesses createda system to allow different volunteer programs and work programs to prepare the students for their careers. (Epstein, Coates, Salinas, Sanders, Simon )

References: Edutopia Five Steps to Better School/Community Collaboration. The George Lucas Educational Foundation. Retrieved by: Education Portal Bronfenbrenner's Chronosystem: Definition, Examples & Quiz. Retrieved by: portal.com/academy/lesson/bronfenbrenners-chronosystem-definition-examples-quiz.html#lesson Epstein, J.L., Coates, L., Salinas, K.C., Sanders, M.G., & Simon, B.S. (1997). School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action. Retrieved from: Danner, Fred Bronfenbrenner, Urie Retrieved from: o7iJgj4NBvg69kJDNCHAi9gR8_pgfHfOc9lE John Hopkins School of Education. Retrieved from: