Leadership Project
It's all about the...parents?
I had been struggling with chemistry from the first day, staying after school and checking in before class started became a part of my daily routine. I took advantage of every opportunity to maintain a decent grade in class, tutoring, redoing labs, retaking quizzes, maintaining an excellent binder, and of course completing each and every extra credit opportunity, were just things I did. Back to School Night had always been a nerve wracking experience, showcasing mediocre work that I had quickly done so that the teachers had something to display on the bare walls, and so that parents would think we were learning something. However, this time my chemistry teacher had promised extra credit to those students who had parents/guardians show up to this annual event. I knew I needed each and every point, and I wanted my mom to see what I was dealing with, and trying to learn from this class. She didn’t seem to understand how challenging this class was for me, and what was worse is that she couldn’t help me with my homework as she had once so confidently done. I has stayed after school for tutoring and then changed into my Link Crew shirt to serve as an usher and tour guide for the families that would be attending Back to School Night. I made it part of my walking tour to pass by the chemistry classrooms, and would peak in and look for my mom. I finally checked out the sign in sheet to see if I had possibly missed her, and carefully used my index finger as I read down the list of names. Her name was not there. I found the nearest payphone and called home, she said she couldn’t make it and would ask my older sister to attend. Honestly I was a bit angry, and disappointed, but I ran back and confirmed with Mr. Marson if older siblings could sign in for our parents, and he gracefully nodded in agreement. There was still a chance to get those points, now I just had to see if my sister would follow through. I waited and played shark around the front of the chemistry wing waiting for her to appear. She showed up 30 minutes after the “night” had ended. I was so hurt, I kept wondering: why do they not want to support my learning? don’t they understand I need to get certain grades for college? Am I the only one struggling with this?
Years later I watch as Sabrina break down in tears after arriving late to the orchestra recital because she could not get a ride. More recently I watched a student tear up while patiently waiting for her mom to show up for her SLC. The role that our parents and families play is crucial; vital and in many cases necessary for students success. I would like to see how we can improve the support we offer our families as they transition into HTHCV, and how we can continue to support their learning as well as their children’s learning. After all a child's first teachers are his/her parents, why not prepare and support these adults to provide the optimal learning environment for their child outside the walls of our school? And why not provide a safe place for families to ask questions and share concerns?
It doesn’t take long to realize that HTHCV is a special place to be, but coming from possibly a traditional, comprehensive, or private school might be a challenge and take some getting used to. Between SLC’s, home visits, exhibitions, POL’s and TPOL’s, fundraisers, and carpools, many would say this is more than enough parent involvement. Yet, it is not uncommon to hear parents say and feel that they are overwhelmed, and don’t understanding what is going on at HTHCV. I would like to create a place where our parents’ can find answers, support, and safe place to ask questions.
When I was considering areas for my leadership project I knew immediately what I wanted to focus on. I wanted to focus on our families, the parents and guardians. Both from a personal experience and of course watching students deal with the consequences of parents not knowing or not understanding the role they continue to play even after they drop off their children at school, sign medical release forms, post the school calendar on the refrigerator, and attend the annual fundraiser.
Preliminary Data:
In a questionnaire distributed during Student Led Conferences (SLC) which took place the March 3-8th parents and guardians of 9th grade students were asked for some feedback in regards to areas of improvement, what would they have wanted to know before sending their child here, and what advice would they give a new family. Here were some of the results:
For Areas of Improvement for HTHCV:
find a way in which student with higher level skills can advance to classes at their level. The current system does not allow for any advancement.
lunch menu does not change
allow make up work
I want to be more informed on child's progress
a better use of time of SIG/XBlock (variety of sports and performing arts)
Physical Education should be implemented
struggling with the idea of students calling teachers by their first names (mr. and mrs. is still ok)
difficult to know if (my) students are meeting the standards
Progress here seems more subtle
More discipline, students are free to roam around and talk
Sports, very important to let kids get along with kids, and exercise.
additional extracurricular activities
finding ways to get parents to participate to improve funding (PA Business) to make teachers jobs easier when it comes to supplies
What to know before coming to HTHCV
Don’t expect the traditional school
Leave your old fashioned ideas regarding public education at the door-parents need to set the tone for the “out of the box thinking and flexibility”
We did not know it would be project after project
How classes work
The location
Know the system (how it is different from traditional schools)
The philosophy of the school
Although the students do a lot of group work, there is a lot of Independence and creativity required
Wish list of supplies, maybe a summer bridge for parents, so they know what is expected of them
The administration and teachers tend to be a bit laid-back, so know this would have let us know to be more assertive or proactive something in finding out what is going on.
More information about how projects cover educational goals
Be aware there is an abundance of online/computer instructed learning
Advice to from current families to new families
Patience, understanding the school curriculum.
Take advantage of the system, it’s not traditional, but very human centered
Parents need to be involved, Don’t be observers. A great way to know what’s happening
You need to commit to being involved with the school and your child
I would stress that the school focuses on developmental traits in responsibility, time management, etc.
The strength of the school is that it allows each student to grow towards their individual interest. The school environment goes a long way towards making students want to come to school, rather than dread it.
Be confident and sure that your child is in an excellent school and will leave well prepared
Work together with the teachers and ask your child how they are doing, every 3 months, although we have the opportunity to know how our children our doing at any moment.
As a parent, be as involved as possible in your child's schooling. Ask questions and make appointments with the teachers if you or your child have any concerns. Also, it;s a wonderful school, project based learning makes learning fun!
Embrace the experience and watch your child develop
We as parents need to work with our students/kids hand to hand with all projects and also with academic programs. We can make a big difference at high school scores at HTHCV. I’m thankful for every you do for my child, I know we will see a successful future for him
Be informed, supportive, involved. Volunteer, show up for conferences, and talk with your child about their learning.
Authentic Product:
I would like to create series of workshops throughout the academic school year where we address the quetions and concerns of parents through a set agenda, and possible protocol in order to make the workshop productive and beneficial. As a part of this goal of creating various workshops, I would like to check out some schools that have parent support groups already established on their campuses, and find out what makes them successful, and possibly bring those workshops or practices to our campus. I want to research and look into what are the needs of our parent population and what we could do as a school to better served their needs. I am currently in the process of looking at the SQR we send to parents, and a survey that I created and distributed to parents at the new family information night in mid May.
Methods/Data Analysis
Using the SQR, parent questionnaire from SLC, and parent survey from new family orientation night, and also I would love to from a study group composed of staff and parents where we collaborate bring up issues and look for ways of supporting one another throughout this delicate process.
Student Study Group (heterogenrous, EL, IEP, high performing etc.)
Group A (alumni) Group B (12th) Group C (11th grade) Group D (10th) Group E (9th)
Di* A* A* *J TBD
J* J* S* *A
A* B* G* *P
I. Proposal
I will create/design a series of workshops to help support new families as they transition into HTHCV. At the new family information night a survey was distributed to parents and the data collected will serve as a guide using the parent ranking to create the workshops. The idea is to offer one workshop per quarter, four total in the year. As well as gather resources, and offer a place where they can find those resources in a variety of languages, with a possible a link on the PA website is an avenue that I hope to use.
II. Essential question: How can we support new families as they transition into HTHCV?
sub-questions: Understanding project based learning
Ways to get involved
Understanding technology/resources.
III. Action plan:
1. Set up and request to participate in logistics and planning of family orientation night
2. Check in with Colleen and Lillian
3. Research what PBL learning means from a parents perspective through focus group.
4. Research how parents can be involved in their child education (High school experience?)
5. Survey current freshmen families during SLC (March 8th-11th)
6. Observe parent meeting at Explorer and the Rock
7. Focus groups (a student group) (video)
8. Parent feedback and suggestions for next workshop (video and exit slips)
9. Set up dates for fall semester workshops
10. Reflect on process
11. Create a follow up plan for the next academic year, workshops for the following year
12. Present project at Summer Institute (and gather feedback)
IV. Tasks with Timelines
Fall 2011 (September –December)
Observation of other schools and how they support their families
Design and Distribute Survey
Analyze Data
Focus research topic
prepare and present 2 workshops
Spring 2012
Prepare and present 2 workshops
Prep for final POL
Share results/findings with staff at PD in June
Share findings at Summer Institute