Several months ago, I wrote a blog on the Parents in Action graduation at St. Cloud Area School District. Sitting through the graduation, I was intrigued listening to program testimonies and personal stories of previous graduates as well as seeing how excited students were for their parents to graduate. I wanted to know more.
I decided to take the program myself. I, of course, signed up my husband as well, who blindly agreed to take the course.
To give a little background, the Parents in Action course is curriculum-based. It is curriculum that was created and designed for parents in California. The course spans over a six week period of time with one class a week and a graduation ceremony during the seventh week.
The underlying objective of the course is to give parents tools to stay engaged with their children. In doing so, each class begins with a light dinner for family socializing. Children are attended to during the class.
Several of the classes are separated into two groups: English speakers and non-English speakers for translation purposes.
In the first week, the class is a “get to know each other” class. Discussions are centered around what kinds of collaboration surround our students: parental engagement, community engagement and school engagement. We find common ground in our concerns and desires for our kids.
Week two brings internal insight. We evaluate ourselves as well as our strengths and weaknesses. We share ideas on what kinds of things work for our kids in regards to studying, stress, friendships and familial relationships. The lesson revolves around fostering self-esteem and academic achievement.
By week three, our families are touring St. Cloud State University. Being an alumna, I’m excited to view the campus and the changes that have been made since the 20 years I attended. Our 9-year-old son, Tristan, attends the tour. He can’t wait [he’s a huge Husky fan].
Strolling the campus, I see it with new eyes. Our non-English counterparts, adjacent on the tour, give me a fresh look at college education and its importance. The facilities were impressive, especially in the eyes of these new-to-country parents. They begin to understand that the campus is a community within a community. College education is more than just attending school. It is about finding your passion, your niche and building upon that passion with others who share the same interests.
The university gives a presentation at the end of the tour which elaborates more on the demographics, statistics of the school, the extra-curricular activities, residential life and the educational opportunities.
My son’s response, “Sign me up!”
The following weeks bring more discussion. By week five, the principal from the school is in attendance to do a question and answer session. This session is interactive. Questions from non-English speakers are translated for everyone and vice versa. Questions like: why does my child not have more homework, why did things change with learning since last year, will we have a day of goal-setting again this next school year similar to what we had this year as well as other questions regarding bus safety and inclusiveness.
Principal Jean Clark from Madison Elementary School answers each and every question with excitement, enthusiasm and concern. Clark sets follow-up appointments with parents that need extra attention and concerns addressed.
Next stop, graduation. The excitement fills the air with parents socializing with other parents and family members during a catered meal. Gowns and caps are then donned.
Parents, facilitators and coordinators share personal testimonies of their experience and appreciation of the class. Each one of us is thankful for the extra “tools” in our belts to help us stay engaged and supportive of our children.
The Parents in Action course is held every fall and spring during the regular school year. For more information, click HERE.