Observing and
Interacting With Program Director(s) and Other Administrative Staff in Your
Setting
I had the privilege
of meeting and gaining some insights with the Bilingual Coordinator Mrs. Smith
and the School Director Mr. Pitt. I was able to speak with both and I was able to
learn what tools are given to parents as well as what the school does to help
parents be involved. I was told by the Bilingual Coordinator that every quarter
they conduct a night where all parents who do not speak English are invited to
learn about early literacy and ways to help their child. Because many parents
are discouraged on attending due to language, they conduct it in Spanish with a
more formal invitation allowing parents to come and ask questions or address any
concerns they may have. I felt this is a great way to allow parents in, where
they feel more comfortable and allowing them to do so in within their own
language.
I have also
learned through the School Director that they always try to communicate with
monthly school newsletters to parents in the two highest language of population
within the school, so parents stay informed. I thought this was great, but I
was concerned for the other lower population of which in this case is of Indian
ethnicity, and how are they informed? But I found no other source is used to
communicate with them. I felt that if there are parents whom are not able to
read English that a teacher should find someone or use translator type software
to address those who are not. Although after speaking with both, they agree
there are some areas that need attention. But overall the school and community
seem to be doing a great job in providing help for students and parents.
Getting parents to take their child to the local library where free classes are
given to both children and adults. It seems many resources are shared so
parents are involved and helping.
Within the
week I was able to observe the school host a dance night with glow in dark
items for the entire building k-4th students. The School Director
thought it was not going to be a big success, and expected 100 people, turned
out to receive 300 people. Music, pizza, and refreshments were provided. This
was conducted on a Friday night 6-8p.m and seemed the turnout was higher than
expected. This was a great event that
allowed students to have fun as all the families got to know one another. I was
also able to observe the school hold a night for Music/Art night, where
students were given the opportunity to show off their art project while doing a
sing-along right after.
Although this
was a big success and many enjoyed it. I think the school is providing great
events to involve parents to come and see their child bloom, but I do feel that
they should provide more evening enriched classes with activities where parents
can also gain more on how to help their child during school and at home. I know
several classes are given throughout the school year, but I believe more should
be provided and weekends should be an option of which at this point it is not. I
would approach the school director after having done some research on ways and
what type of enriched classes will benefit the parents. I would do my own
research based on several similar schools within the area and I would also include
the input from parents to make it a success in keeping parent involvement one
of the priorities.
It looks like you enjoyed your interviews and interacting with your school's professionals. It also looks like this school has great programs about helping parents and teachers about bilingual children. What other schools are researching about?
ReplyDeleteThank you, to answer your question, because the school Iam observing is in a community where it is diverse and growing. I would consider researching other schools that are similar in population and where it is a diverse school to better gain some insights and to see how they are able to communicate with there parents of whom do not speak English and what the school provides. I think this would help allowing me to see if what they have in place is working and how we can better help our school.
DeleteThat's a good idea to sat aside time for the families that are unable to attend due to having a language bearer. I like how they incorporated the importance of families by allowing them to be apart of the center's events and activities in an informal way. It's important that they are not made to feel bad because of their inability to speak English fluently. When parents are made to feel apart, they tend to want to give their insights and feedback on what they believe. They will be more willing to take part in the learning and special events.
ReplyDeleteI believe that schools should use any way they can to get parents involved in their children's school lives. Even if it is a dance night, the parents might come and feel welcomed and be that much more likely to return to another function. Sometimes it is just getting that rapport with the teachers that makes all the difference.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though we go out of our way to make accommodations and translate etc. for our Spanish speaking population however what are we doing for all the other culturally diverse students we have in our schools. Does your program ever have classes held in the evening to teach English? When I taught the deaf kids we had classes for our parents in learning to sign.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, the school does a lot to accommodate and translate. But you do have a great point, our school does not offer English classes, but I think this would be an excellent thing to incorporate, if the of course the school/administrator allows it.
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