KEYS you manage that create success:
v BE ENTHUSIASTIC! Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. If you are excited others will be too.
v DO NOT BE AFRAID OF MISTAKES! Try out new things and learn from your mistakes helping everyone else learn too. When others see you are willing to learn from everything and especially mistakes they will support you more.
v OPEN DOOR POLICY! If you really want your program to grow include all parents whether in your school or not. Care about them all.
v WIN/WIN! In all things look for the win/win for everyone; PTSA, Parents, School, District, Community. If you are looking for ways to help them all be successful through this program they will be stronger supporters.
v PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE and HARD WORK! Building up a parent ed program can take time and patience. At first people will not see the benefit. That’s normal keep talking and showing. Do not let low attendance numbers knock you down. Look at what caused them make adjustments and keep going. There is a period of proving that the programs are of value before the attendance and enthusiasm begins to grow. Stay steady and it will happen.
v TOPIC! First in priority is you need a topic that is pertinent and of interest to the parents in your school. Do a survey to determine interests. Look for current hot issues in the school/district. Transition times are always topics.
v TIMING! Some topics have good times to draw a crowd such as Successful Conferences a month before it is time for them. Drugs and Alcohol before Prom. Homework hassles in November and Bullying in October. Watch out for conflicts with other big events (sports, school/district events, etc.) Avoid December. What is better day or night? Are there better nights of the week? Check this out by asking people. Experiment and document what works and why.
v PUBLICITY/ADVERTISING! If you do not get the word out you will not have a successful event. You want everyone talking about it. Begin getting out the word 2 months prior to the event. The bigger the event the longer the lead-time. Get your local newspaper to mention it. Get teachers to encourage parents, get the principal to talk it up. Use posters, email and school calling networks. Creative Titles and attention catching statements help.
v KEY CONTACTS! Be sure to get your key contacts on board and excited and supporting the program. Make sure your principal and PTA are never surprised about what is happening.
v WORD OF MOUTH! This is a powerful tool or a devastating curse. You want people excited so choose your first 3 seminars for strong chances of success. Then word of mouth will get people noticing and wanting to come. Ask at the end of the seminar for people to let others know how great it was. Before the seminar get people talking at the bus stops. Never miss a chance to talk about the great parent ed program that is being developed. Communication is essential.
KEY Contacts for a Successful Parent Education Program
v PTSA: Council, PTSA President, other PTSAs, newsletter chair, treasurer,
v School Contacts: Principals, Counselors, Psychologists, Librarians, School Staff, Teachers, Site Council, Custodians
v District Contacts: Dir. Communication, Exec Dir. Primary and Secondary Ed (over Principals) Dir Career & Technical Ed (over Counselors), Dir. Special Services, Special Education Advisory Boards, Drug and Substance Abuse Committee, Math and Reading Specialists
v Community: Local paper school reporter/editor, youth groups-Friends of Youth, Youth Services, School Foundations, Hospitals offering parent education/specialists, Specialist, Churches offering Parent Ed Classes (non-religious in content & intent)
v Facilities Scheduling
KEY to Good Topics
Sample Ideas for Parent Education Seminars and/or Speakers
· Bullying (Speaker sources: School Counselors, Youth Service Organizations, Principals)
· Transition Seminar – focus on social, emotional, family dynamics, parent involvement changes
o We prefer panel forums with parents, students (secondary ed when applicable) counselors, teachers
o Middle School
o Kindergarten
o High School
o Special Needs transitions
· Drug and Substance Abuse – current environment, drugs of choice, signs and intervention (District Substance Abuse Committee, School SRO, Recovery Centers)
· Stress, depression and Suicide (Counselors, Youth Services, Youth Suicide prevention groups)
· Math -latest verbiage and methods of teaching (District Specialist, Family math Night teachers)
· Reading and Writing- emergent stages, how to encourage and recognize issues (District Specialist)
· Peer pressure and friendship issues –School and Local counselors, youth organizations, etc
· Special Needs –basics of IEP, building teams, problem solving, etc.
· Successful Parent Teacher Conferences-
· Parenting Approaches, Skills, & Techniques
o Love and Logic Institute (www.loveandlogic.com) 2 hour seminar or class
o Positive Discipline
o Jane Faull –variety of topics (www.janfaullparenting.com) 425-277-5477
o Elizabeth Pantley- Variety of topics (Elizabeth@pantley.com) 425-827-1980
· Body Images and eating disorders (Public Health Nurses, Doctors)
· Anger management- child’s and parent’s
· Learning Styles- Cynthia Tobias/Applied Learning Styles 253-862-6200 (www.applest.com)
· Strong Willed Children- Cynthia Tobias 253-862-6200 (www.applest.com)
· Development stages of childhood/Brain Development stages
· Impact of Media and Technology- Gloria DeGaetano (www.parentcoachinginstitute.com)
· Internet Safety for Children- Conflict Management and team building skills
· Organizational Skills for families and/or students
· Homework Battles- counselors, Teachers, Principals, Parent Educators for skills and tools
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Last Updated October 1, 2006.