creating the conditions for parent engagement

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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.

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Creating the Conditions forParent Engagement

Parents as Partners – November 26, 2012

Chris Wejr@ChrisWejrwww.chriswejr.com

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/

Family Communication

TO vs WITHImage: http://flic.kr/p/691uEj

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

Sit beside

Image: http://flic.kr/p/63Xiwt

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

Connect With Mewww.chriswejr.com

About.me/ChrisWejr

@chriswejr

chriswejr@gmail.com

Facebook.com/chriswejr

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