Posted 1/9/12

GESD offers parents a room of their own

It’s been a work in progress since last summer when teachers attending a constructivist teaching conference began to plan for offering parent rooms at each Gloversville school. After months of planning and setting up, parent rooms are now available at four Gloversville schools and the school doors are open wide.

“We are telling parents to ‘Come on in’,” said Frank Pickus, Assistant Superintendent of Gloversville Schools.

Since parent involvement relates to student achievement in positive ways, encouraging parents to participate in their child’s education is a priority for Gloversville educators.

“Unfortunately, many parents are not as involved as we would like to see,” said Mr. Pickus. He sites many reasons as possibilities for the lack of involvement, not necessarily disinterest on the part of the parents. Other possibilities include:

• Too little time/work schedule/single-parenthood
• Lack of resources/transportation/child care
• Language barrier/cultural isolation
• Social isolation/low educational level
• Not sure of the best way to contribute
• Feeling overwhelmed, intimidated or unwelcome

A survey was offered to all parents during Parent/Teacher conferences this year to identify the needs, interests and barriers to the current level of parent involvement. The results are still being compiled and will be incorporated into the offerings at the parent rooms.

“We wanted to offer a place that parents could come in, close the door, and talk to other parents about any issues their children may be having in school,” explained Matt Sherman, Family Facilitator at the high school.

Each parent room was outfitted by donations from families and area businesses, so the furnishings vary from school to school. What remains consistent is the connections that are being made there: Connections to other parents, connections to teachers, and connections to services available in the community.

The rooms are staffed by a parent advocate or family resource coordinator who is able to connect families with resources such as job training, medical needs, parenting classes, GED classes, clothing or school supplies, or nutrition information, to name a few.

“We wanted parents to have a comfortable place in school where they feel welcome to come in,” said Mr. Sherman.

The parent rooms are pleasant spaces, offering sofas and coffee in addition to games, books, and computer/internet access. Parent rooms are available at the high school, middle school, and Park Terrace Elementary, and Boulevard Elementary. The other schools rooms are still in the works, but are expected to be completed within this school year. Finding space in each building is one of the challenges.

Even with a room and a liaison, encouraging parent involvement will remain a challenge.

“If we can get one parent more involved, or make one connection between a parent and a needed resource, that is a big thing for us and makes it all worth it,” said Paul Meher, Family and Community Educator at the middle school.

For more information on the parent rooms at your child’s school, stop in, or contact the following (parents are reminded to sign-in at the main office first):

Elementary Family and Community Educator: Janice Blodgett
Phone: (518) 775-5740 ext. 4060

Middle School Family and Community Educator: Paul Meher
Phone: (518) 775-5720 ext. 2069

High School Academic Family Facilitator: Matt Sherman
Phone: (518) 775-5710 ext. 1068

For a listing of parent resources that are available, please visit the Parent Resource web page at: http://www.gloversvilleschools.org/ParentResources/ParentResources_Main.cfm

Posted 1/11/12: Read an article about the Parent Rooms in the Leader-Herald Newspaper.