Naugatuck Discovery - Spring 2008 Newsletter

PARENTS LEARN THEY HOLD THE KEY TO SCHOOL SUCCESS

Parent Toolbox spotlights family, homework, conferences and magic:
While about 30 children giggled at the silly antics of a magician in the cafeteria, their moms and dads sat in the Andrew Avenue School library learning that parent involvement is the magic ingredient for successful children and schools.

Parents at Naugatuck Discovery's Parent Toolbox, "Parent Involvement and Family Learning: A Recipe for School Success," took notes as experts explained the important role parents play in the success of every student and every school. The program, which was open to Naugatuck residents, took place Feb. 7 at Andrew Avenue School.

"It was very inspiring," said Peter Huculak, who has two children in elementary school. "The Parent Toolbox helped me realize there is a lot of work happening behind the scenes in our schools, more than parents realize."

Huculak has volunteered as a mentor in his children's school. After attending Parent Toolbox, he plans to do even more. "I'm going to be more involved because the school is putting in a lot of effort," he said.

Judy Carson, manager for the Connecticut Department of Education's Connecticut Family Learning Initiative and the School-Family-Community Partnership Project, gave an overview of parent involvement.

"Model the value of learning and hard work," she told parents. She also encouraged them to establish strong relationships with their children's teachers and schools.

Creating a school environment that welcomes parents should be a focal point of every school striving for greater parent involvement, she said. It is a project parents and educators can work on together with very little cost, she said, citing state resources to help them get started.

Parents also support learning when they make education and learning topics of discussion in the greater community, at church suppers and on the soccer field sidelines, Carson said.

Mini workshops on homework and parent-teacher conferences followed the keynote address.