Parent Engagement Welcome – Opening Ice Breaker

Parent Engagement Welcome – Opening Ice Breaker
Draw a sun with ray , one thing that makes them similar in core and in ray identify one thing that makes them different. We are going to use today’s session to give you some tools and techniques that will help you in your goal to better engage parents into your after school programs. We will do this by sharing best practices and creating a customized plan for your program based on what will work for you – what is similar and what makes your program different. Note: Introduce myself and credentials.

Parent Engagement Today’s Session Self Assess The Engagement Model
Secrets to Getting Parents Involved Using Your Tool Kit We are going to cover four key areas today (read slide).

Parent Engagement: Self Assess
Individual Exercise: What is your role as a after school program provider? What do you like best/least about this role? Why do you do it? Let’s do a brief exercise to get us started.

Group Exercise: What is the definition of engagement? Why is parent engagement important? Now in teams on flip chart, respond to these questions.

One who is fully involved in, and enthusiastic about their role, and will act in a way that furthers their organization’s interests. Here is a formal definition of engagement.

Schools that succeed in engaging families from very diverse backgrounds share three best practices: Focusing on building trusting collaborative relationships among teachers, families, and community members. Recognizing, respecting, and addressing families needs and cultural differences. Embracing a philosophy of partnership where power and responsibility are shared. Education research over the past three decades has established a direct correlation between increased parent involvement and increased student achievement. One of the most comprehensive parent involvement studies done to date (encompassing more than 51 research studies and literature reviews) is A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement. After reviewing a wide range of studies on parent involvement, Henderson and Mapp found that “students with involved parents, no matter what their income or background, were more likely to earn higher grades and test scores and enroll in higher-level programs; be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits; attend school regularly; have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school; and graduate and go on to postsecondary education.” Additionally, the study found, “Schools that succeed in engaging families from very diverse backgrounds share three key practices: (Read slide).

Group Exercise: What are the characteristics and values of your parents? What do we need/want your parents to do? What activities are you currently doing to engage parents? So let’s take a look at your parent group and how we can form a collaborate partnership. Flip Chart Exercise: Respond to these questions in workbook and on PPT. Debrief: In order to engage individuals, you need to know: What is important to them You need to clarify roles, responsibilities and expectations You need to continually improve upon what you are doing

Best Practice #1: Do research and conduct assessment of parents/guardians of the difference between an engaged and disengaged target group. Best Practice #2: Identify a list of tasks and activities you need the parents to be engaged in and share with them. Let them pick activities that are aligned with their values. Author, Consultant and part of the Catholic Lay Ministry Matthew Kelly states: The highly engaged person lives with purpose and passion. A highly engaged person always have these two things: Hungry for best practices Committed to continuous learning If you are trying to engage a particular audience you have to do research and assess what makes and engaged and disengaged person. Need to do an assessment of your parents and guardians what is the difference between the two. You also need to be specific on what you need/want them to do and what will trigger an emotional response form them. We are going to continue to go back to PAGE 5 to record best practices through this session.

Group Exercise: What are your current barriers and challenges to getting parents engaged? Now let’s take a look at some of our current challenges and barriers.

Parent Challenges Obstacle #1: Limited time and work commitments Most parents work or have other commitments that interfere with family life. Studies show that in today’s busy world, individuals have very short periods of free time. Best Practice #3: Use a variety of communication channels. Ask parents the best way to communicate. Provide options for involvement that may not be to time intensive. Many child care providers say that the only time they see parents and other family members when they are dropping or picking up before or after work. It can be easy to think that parents don’t care. Most parents care deeply about their child’s development but have their own challenges and barriers that they are experiencing. Based on research, here are some of the obstacles parents must overcome in order to become involved in their child’s care. Obstacle #1: Limited time and work/other commitments Most parents work or have other commitments that interfere with family life. Studies show that in today’s busy world, individuals have very short periods of free time if any. You may want to plan jobs that are very short and ask parents to do them when they have five minutes to spare. Also identify different communication channels that you can use: Social media (Facebook/Linked in); , phone, hard copy. Ask them how it is best to communicate with them and what they can realistically do based on all of their roles and responsibilities. You need to let them know that you know the health and well-being of their child is their numberone priority and you want to do whatever you can to help them with this.

Parent Challenges Obstacle #2: Parents think it doesn’t matter When parents are asked why they don’t get involved, the most common response is that they think it will not make a difference for their child. Best Practice #4: When you select meaningful roles for parents and explain why you think it is important, they can see the connection and understand the impact their role will have. Obstacle #2:Parents think it doesn’t matter When parents are asked why they don’t get involved, the most common response is that they think it will not make a difference for their child. When you select meaningful roles for parents and explain why you think it is important, they can see the connection and understand the impact their role will have. Explain why their role is so important and how it is a collaborate effort between the home and school. Why is their role so important? Children look up to their parents and look for their guidance. Parents set the rules at home – children abide by those rules. Values are taught in the home that set the course for how people live their lives. If parents have education as core value this will naturally become a core value and for the child. Our culture and our heritage shape our norms and how we live our lives. Parents need to share their stories of their heritage and see the positives of a community based approach to the child’s education. Understand the family’s heritage is an important way to connect and build a collaborative approach. READ KEY FACTS ABOUT MEXICO page 7

Parent Challenges Obstacle #3: Family stress Parenting is stressful as the child grows. As the child develops, parents must learn to handle the new behaviors at each age. These normal stresses can be compounded by family, marital and financial difficulties. Best Practice #5: Child care providers might not be aware of these problems that make it hard for family members to become involved. Pay attention to what parents say and what they don’t say and provide whatever support is needed to help them manage their stress load. Obstacle #3: Family stress They key to reducing stress is to remain CALM. Consider the types of stress Assess your physical well-being Learn to cope better Monitor yourself Help them better manage stress by making their role in your program easy and manageable. Provide as much support, education and resources as possible.

Parent Challenges Obstacle #4: Parents don’t feel welcome Many parents assume that once a child care provider is in charge, they don’t want the families involved. Best Practice #6: Communicate how you can work as a team to best benefit their child. Find the communication channel that works best for them (face to face, , social media, hard copy, group meetings). Create a mission statement together. Obstacle #4: Parents don’t feel welcome Many parents assume that once a child care provider is in charge, they don’t want the families involved. They need to know that you are all on the same team to work together to benefit the child. Create a mission statement together – it is a collaborate approach. A mission statement is why something serves to exist and should be clear and concise. Sample Mission statement “To create a partnership dedicated to the educational and well-being of our children to help them grow and reach their fullest potential.”

Parent Challenges Obstacle #5: Child care provider stress Often times care givers discover it can be stressful and take extra time to involve parents in their child care program. Involving family members in your child care means that you must be willing to invest the time and effort. Don’t assume “they get it.” Best Practice #7: Provide clear instructions and materials that can teach the parents how to do something. Do this in both English and other translated languages based on your population. Obstacle #5: Child care provider stress Often times care givers discover it can be stressful and take extra time to involve parents in their child care program. Involving family members in your child care means that you must be willing to invest the time and effort. Don’t assume “they get.” Provide clear instructions and materials that can teach the parents how to do something.

Individual Exercise Action Plan: Based on your current challenges what can you use from the best practices shared to incorporate into your program. Let’s do a brief exercise to get us started.

Secrets to Getting Parents Involved Using Your Tool Kit Now let’s move into our second session – The Engagement Model

Parent Engagement: Engagement Model
The Parent Engagement Model Becoming Leaders Effective Decision Making Providing Resources Parent as Teachers Based on the No Child Left Behind initiative, the US Department created a manual entitled: “Engaging Parents in Education: Lessons from Five Parental Information and Resource Centers.” Abstracted from that manual, they share elements of the Parent Engagement Model and what you can do for each level.

Parent as Teachers Parent Engagement: Engagement Model Tips to help them become better teachers Use a train-the-trainer model. Teach the parents on how to become teachers. Team Exercise: How can we do that? The core of the model is teaching parents to become teachers by using the train-the-trainer model. Teach our parents on how to become better teachers. Many of the individuals you are interacting with don’t know how to teach or coach their children because they don’t have the education or experience. You are experts in this arena. How can you teach parents to be better teachers? Team Exercise: How can we do that?

Providing Resources Parent Engagement: Engagement Model Providing resources and understanding rights Help parents understand the No Child Left Behind legislation and how it impacts them. Team Exercise: How can we do that? Tips for Making Education Related Information Available And Understandable • Do not reinvent the wheel—check for existing publications and tools to distribute. Have separate sessions based on languages and culture. • Create reader-friendly NCLB materials that are short, concise, clearly written, and well designed. • Have representative parents review draft materials for reader friendliness before the materials are produced. • Create informational DVDs for nonreading parents and group sessions. • Create workshops, guidance sessions, and Web sites to help parents understand the relevant issues. To help parents understand and navigate the legislation, ADI’s PIRC (Parent Information and Resource Centers) developed A Parent Guide to No Child Left Behind , which explains parents’ rights and responsibilities under the legislation and has been offered in both Spanish and English. The guide’s narrative is broken up by colorful textboxes that either provide helpful tips for parents (e.g., how to assist with homework) or suggest questions parents might want to ask local educators. NOTE: There will be upcoming literature that will be available to you through the CCLC the near future. Use this information and disseminate it among your population.

Effective Decision Making Parent Engagement: Engagement Model Secrets for better decision making Provide parents guidance on how they can make better choices to help with their child’s education. Team Exercise: How can we do that? Offer Parent Center that provides training, reduces barriers and makes referrals. Training: parenting classes, literacy classes, employment services Reduce barriers: Food pantry, HEAT Program, Translation services Make referrals: Health services, Preschool services, Adult Education (GED) Provide workshops in this areas and identify resources available to parents.

Becoming Leaders Parent Engagement: Engagement Model Helping them become leaders Connect with hard to reach parents by providing tools and resources. Team Exercise: How can we do that? Tips for Connecting With Hard-to-Reach Parents • Provide information and materials to community based organizations that are in direct contact with hard-to-reach populations, such as homeless shelters, local Head Start programs, and faith-based organizations. • Help recruit liaisons who can easily integrate into the target community. • Contract with community-based organizations to disseminate information.

Secrets to Getting Parents Involved Using Your Tool Kit Now let’s review the secrets to getting parents involved.

Parent Engagement Secrets to getting parents involved
Secret #1: Get off to a good start Get to know the child’s family – all of them. Try to involve as many individuals as possible. Start with an orientation meeting and invite all to participate. Take the time to learn about the cultures of these families. If they can’t participate at after school functions/events get them engaged in other ways. Studies show that people are the most confident about their children’s care when they feel that their care giver is interested in them as people. Get to know the child’s family – all of them. Try to involve as many individuals as possible. Start with an orientation meeting or home visit and invite all to participate. Take the time to learn about the cultures of these families. Studies show that people are the most confident about their children’s care when they feel that their care giver is interested in them as people. Steven Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People states “Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood.”

Secret #2: Create a Parent Space We tell children that we value their play and art when we make spaces for these activities. We also tell parents how we value them by making space for them in our program. Most parents become involved when they feel welcomed and comfortable. The ideal location includes: a place to sit down with other parents to talk, read bulletin boards and have rack for helpful handouts. Also a book basket for books to borrow. Create a “Wall of Fame” to highlight parent volunteers. Secret #2: Create a Parent Space We tell children that we value their play and art when we make spaces for these activities. We also tell parents how we value them by making space for them in our program. Most parents become involved when they feel welcomed and comfortable. The ideal includes: a place to sit down with other parent to talk, read bulletin boards and have rack for helpful handouts. Also a book basket for books to borrow. Most child care programs have limited space but a place for families can almost be worked within any constraints.

Secret #3: Help parents see the value Give parents important work and help them see the value of this for their child. When you are asking for help explain why you think it will be good for the child. Understand the parents’ culture, norms and value systems. Often parents and other family members don’t realize how influential involvement can be to the development of the child. Give parents important work and help them see the value of this for their child. When you are asking for help explain why you think it will be good for the child. Often parents and other family members don’t realize how influential involvement can be to the development of the child. Children need to see that they care!

Secret #4: Use powerful communication The best way to use written communication is through calendars, flyers, newsletters, and sign-up sheets. Interview children and parents for your newsletter. Ask children to create invitations to send to their parents to participate in child care events. Post-sign up sheets at the door where they can visibly see. Know your audience: values, cultures, communication needs. Secret #4: Use powerful communication If you want parents involved, you need to learn how to ask. You can do this both face-to face and in writing. The best way to use written communication is through calendars, flyers, newsletters and sign-up sheets. Interview children and parents for your newsletter. Ask children to create invitations to send to their parents to participate in child care events. Post-sign up sheets at the door. One provider said that after one father signed up to read to the children, nearly all of the other fathers signed up to come in. Remember to know your audience: values, cultures, communication needs!

Parent Engagement Provide welcome kits to new families.
Challenge all staff to make one positive contact with a parent each week. Use a variety of communication channels: Social media, newsletters, website, letters, and boards. Have children write personal notes and create invites for school programs to give to their parents. Have group/theme nights where parents can interact with other parents especially those that speak their same language but also speak English well.

Secret #5: Make your program a caring community Many people have lost the feeling that they belong to a community that cares. Child care may be one of the few places where they can develop supportive networks. Make sure you offer social events where family members can meet and talk. Ask family members to help out by reading and tell stories or assisting with field trip. Host a Thanksgiving dinner or movie night. Host a “Take Your Family to After School Week” with special activities lined up throughout week. Secret #5: make your program a caring community Many people have lost the feeling that they belong to a community that cares. Child care may be one of the few places where they can develop supportive networks. Make sure you offer social events where family members can meet and talk.

Parent Engagement Invite a family member to be the “guest of honor” for day. Have a career day where one of the parents show a demonstration on what they do: cooking, woodworking, etc. Where they can teach the children about a profession and how to learn something new. Coordinate a drive: food donation, recycling, etc. Organize “Community Scavenger Hunt” with local community groups, organizations, and churches the families may be involved with. Use Hurricane Sandy as example. Leaders as a program to help members in their community.

Secret #6 Making Home a Learning Center Post a “Question of the Week” that kids need to talk to their parents about to get the answer Provide homework that requires them to talk to someone at home. Possible interview format. Involve parents in goal setting for projects.

Parent Engagement Create a book club.
Establish a math or science competition. Provide parents who don’t read or speak English with picture books. Have them explain pictures with their children in their language. Create a lending library or family center with parenting materials.

Secret #7: Say thank you from the heart Make sure you and the children take the time to say thank you to parents and family members when they have done something for their development. A thank you note, newsletter article, or recognition board goes a long way to letting people know that you truly care and they are making a difference. Secret #7: Say thank you from the heart Make sure you and the children take the time to say thank you to parents and family members when they have done something for their development. A thank you note, newsletter article, or recognition board goes a long way to letting people know that you truly care and they are making a difference.

Individual Exercise Action Plan: Based on the Secrets just shared, create a goal list of things that you would like to create for your afterschool program.

Secrets to Getting Parents Involved Using Your Tool Kit Now let’s finish up with using your Tool Kit.

Parent Engagement: Using Your Toolkit
Self-Assessment Profile Identify what you are doing that has worked in the past. Identify what you have done in the past that hasn’t worked. Create list of positives: what resources and tools you have available. Create list of negatives: budget constraints and limited resources.

Parent Engagement Create you Checklist Create your needs/wants list
Develop goals Clarify how you want parents involved Provide options Set expectations

Parent Engagement: Using Your Toolkit
Parent questionnaire Use Parent Survey Use Discussion Questions

References Parents for Public Schools The Parent Teacher Association U.S. Department of Education Parental Information and Resource Centers The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a national organization with state and local offices around the country. Its national Web site offers a range of resources, including parent resources, relevant current event articles and stories, and information about training opportunities. It also provides a tool to help visitors find their local PTA. Parents for Public Schools is a national organization with community-based chapters working in public schools to improve education. The Web site offers links to all of the local chapters, which offer a range of services, such as trainings, outreach events, and information on school enrollment. U.S. Department of Education Parental Information and Resource Centers home page includes on its main navigation bar a parent link that serves as a portal to a section created exclusively for parents. Here parents and guardians can find information about how NCLB affects them and their children, how to help their children succeed in school, how to help their children learn to read, and other education issues.

References BuildingChoice.org http://www.buildingchoice.org
KSA-Plus Communications National Network of Partnership Schools BuildingChoice.org, a Web site funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides tools and resources for educators who are working to expand choice options for families. The Web site includes many examples of how districts across the country are communicating choice options to parents and working to involve parents in their schools, along with sample materials from these districts and tools that have been developed to help facilitate parent involvement. KSA-Plus Communications Web site offers training opportunities and a range of other services to help parents gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become advocates for better schools for their children. KSA also runs workshops and provides consulting services, and provides materials to help administrators and teachers better understand how they can tap into the underutilized resources that parents and families offer and can better meet the increasingly diverse needs of families. The National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS), at Johns Hopkins University, is an organization that helps to build parent involvement, family engagement, and community partnerships for elementary, middle, and high schools across the country by providing tools, guidelines, and a model for developing a school-based action team. Among the many resources offered on the Web site are information on how to join NNPS, research publications and products that support implementation of the NNPS model, training opportunities for school- , district- , and state-level participants, and myriad success stories from those who have used the model.

Secrets to Getting Parents Involved Using Your Tool Kit

Parent Engagement

Closing Quote --- Carl Jung, Swiss Psychologist
“Nothing has a stronger influence psychologically on their environment and especially on their children than the unlived life of the parent.” --- Carl Jung, Swiss Psychologist

Parent Engagement Welcome – Opening Ice Breaker

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