“One of the keys to academic success is teachers, but not the number one,” Sebastian Witherspoon, director of equity services for the St. Cloud Area School District, recently told graduates of Parents in Action. “The number one indicator of student success is the educational attainment of mom and dad.”
Parents, students and community members celebrate the largest class to date, (81 graduates) of Parents In Action (PIA) a program within the Equity Services department of District 742. The program is led by licensed facilitators and coordinators who teach (mostly) new-to-country parents how to create positive and long-lasting educational environments for their school-age children. Topics include: dedicating a home study location, best time of day for homework, ongoing dialogue about their children’s success and college expectations.
Kids jumped for joy and were excited to see their parents receive their certificates and graduate from the seven-week program.
“This program is about how to support our kids,” testified Juhara Guled, a parent graduating from the program and speaking Somali. “This is a great opportunity we have here. We appreciate it. Thank you, and we move forward from here.”
“The thing I enjoyed most is we all gave input,” added Pierre Hamilton, describing his experience during the program. We didn’t put each other down. We all contributed. ”
Amadou Thiam shares, “I came to America [from West Africa] to
study; therefore, education is very important to me. When I joined, [PIA] I didn’t know what I was getting into. It was inspirational. It was informational. I formed a bond with other parents, joined forces with the principal of Lincoln, Miss Beth. It opened my eyes. There are a lot of things for parents to learn. These children are the future of any nation. Us parents and teachers will join forces to make sure their future is bright. Parents In Action is a beginning, not an end. We are offered a tool, not to put in a drawer, but to use it.”
Going forward, grateful parents appeared both ready and willing to use that tool. Saadiyo Abdi hugs both Kate Flynn and Beth LaCoursiere, principals in the district. Bowing deeply, she said, “Thank you. Thank you.”
I am so glad we have an opportunity like this for the parents in our district! So proud to be a part of ISD 742!
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