A MESSAGE TO PARENTS: WE NEED YOUR HELP

It is a new school year and there are new opportunities to be involved with your child’s education. Many of you will take the opportunity to watch your youngster participate in soccer, band, football, cross-country, dance, field hockey, volleyball and other community events. There are other important ways to support your child.

As a number of African-American administrators take new leadership positions in the Springfield Public Schools, they are reaching out to families to help them educate their children.

When asked the question: “What suggestions would you offer parents to assist you in educating the students of the Springfield Public Schools?” their replies had three familiar refrains. Reading, Attendance, Communication.

Reading

Ms. Rhonda Stowell, principal of Glenwood, Ms. Brenda Bailey, assistant principal at Brookings, and Dr. Michael Henry, of Homer, all expressed the importance of Reading. Their perceptions differed, but they all expressed the importance of reading outside of the classroom. “Read with and to your child.” “Make sure reading time is established every day at home.” “Explore language through reading and model reading as a behavior.”

Attendance

Dr. Celeste Budd-Jackson and Ms. Willette Johnson, newly elevated from principals to School Improvement Officers, stressed the importance of student attendance. Ms. Johnson spoke of the partnership between the homes and school and that the home had to “ensure that children are in attendance each day at the school.” Dr. Budd-Jackson noted that “attendance which is good or excellent is a good predictor of academic success.” DeBerry principal Mary Worthy emphasized that “attendance is extremely important; tardiness and early dismissals should be avoided if at all possible.”

Communication

Communication with the child’s school and being knowledgeable about school expectations was a common message from the new leadership. Budd-Jackson advised families to be proactive. Jonathan Swan, new principal at Duggan Middle School, wants parents to “Make it known to your child how important you view your child’s education.” He suggests that, “One phone call to a teacher sends an enormous message to your child.”

New assistant principal at The High School of Science and Technology, Mrs. Karen Lott, emphasizes communication through parental/family involvement. Have regular contact with the school, stay abreast of information and changes that affect your child, their school and the district. “Choose a means (of communication) that provides a forum that will keep you as informed as possible, and that allows you to voice your concerns and opinions.”

These words are repeated by Gwen Page, Van Sickle assistant principal, who also suggests “visiting the school, talking to teachers, and knowing what’s going on in the community. Kola Afolabi, new assistant principal at The High School of Commerce, advises that “you communicate to your child that their effort is the most important factor that will make the difference between failure and success.”

Each of these educators has expressed the importance of family involvement. They have all reached out and asked you and suggested to you how you may support student achievement. How are you going to be involved and help make this new school year a success for a student?n