From: Katy Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> :
Hi! I am Katy Smith and I am knee deep in public education here in Winona. I have three daughters in WAPS, I teach parent education for Early Childhood Family Education, I am married to a middle school teacher and I consider myself an education activist.
I was most interested in Bianchi's ideas about parent education. I am passionate about the importance of parents building community around children through networking and sharing ideas, that passion is why I do what I do. Bianchi referenced the book "Bowling Alone" about the dissolving community. I love the idea of using schools as a place to hold parent discussions about child development, issues around parenting and boundaries and partnerships with schools. I believe these kinds of discussions help to define community values and give parents a much needed frame of reference and support.
Bianchi stated that his school holds 10-12 such parent meetings per year. I agree that they need to be divided into age groups, it would be difficult to facilitate a discussion about discipline that was equally valuable to parents of preschoolers and parents of high schoolers in the same room. Making books the center of discussions is also a great idea. Books offer a discussion spring board that many parents need and also offer an opportunity to explore issues without having to self disclose.
As a parent, I have often wondered how other parents feel about co-ed slumber parties, teen drinking and dress codes in high school. A parent discussion at the school would be a great way to assess what the community norms are surrounding such issues. I think it would work to title an evenings discussion "Your teen and Hormones" as an example, ask parents to register and pay a fee (to cover facilitators fee and chocolate) and start them in small groups and work their way to a general meeting. I liked the format of the community voices discussions and have been inspired by an online site about "Cafe Conversations". Parents could attend only those discussions that were of interest to them. I have been diligent in building community around my own kids by knowing the parents of the kids they hang out with, but I am an extravert. I also agree with Bianchi's statement that the last thing parents are looking for is another "Talk at You" meeting. TV does the same thing and you can stay in your pajamas! I believe that parents are wanting to talk WITH each other.
As a parent educator, one thing I hear over and over is how parents need parent education as their children grow. In the area of parent involvement, I think Bianchi is on to something.....
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Randy Schenkat 1358 Skyline Dr. Winona, Mn 55987 507-452-7168
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