School's in session... for BPS parents!

BOSTON – Nearly 300 parents of Boston Public Schools (BPS) students gathered for a full day of workshops and training today during the first session of the new “Parent University.”

Superintendent Carol R. Johnson launched Parent University as a new learning experience specifically designed to help parents increase their understanding of how children learn and develop; what their children should be learning; how to help their children get what they need to succeed; and how to bring other parents together to work for school improvement.

“We know that when parents are engaged in their children’s learning, the outcomes for students improve,” said Dr. Johnson. “Parent University is a key strategy to strengthen family engagement and embrace parents as true partners in the work of educating our students and transforming our schools.”

Mayor Thomas M. Menino presented welcome remarks at the opening session, held at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

“Parents are our most important allies in raising student achievement,” said Mayor Menino. “We are proud to offer a program that serves as a national model for developing the skills and tools parents need to help their children reach their full potential.”

The free, year-long program will include three full-day Saturday learning sessions, with additional sessions offered throughout the year at schools, libraries and community centers. Parents who complete courses will participate in a graduation ceremony in June.

The district has enlisted partner organizations to offer a wide range of workshops, many in both English and Spanish, including:
 Feeling at home with fractions
 Cyber safety
 Helping your child become a great reader
 Raising teens: When almost everything you do is wrong
 Understanding your child from birth to five
 No Child Left Behind: What’s in it for families?
 Grant writing for parent council members
 The Road to College: How to apply and look for scholarships
 Building toward science success in middle and high school

The program is funded in part with stimulus dollars from President Obama’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and support from private donors.

Parent University is one of several strategies the district uses to engage families and the community in support of student achievement. In addition to supporting full-time Family & Community Outreach Coordinators (FCOCs) in 31 schools, the Office Family & Student Engagement works with all BPS schools to help organize School Site Councils, plan activities to engage families in their children’s learning, and help parents and school staff communicate with each other. Several team members are specially trained to work with families with limited English and families who have children in special education programs.

The district also hosts numerous welcome events each year for families, including the Countdown to Kindergarten Celebration, the Back-to-School Jamboree, and the Middle O! Middle School Orientation. Additionally, in 2008, Dr. Johnson created the new Welcome Services department to provide additional support and assistance to students and families entering the district and to those making critical transitions within the system.

For more information, visit www.bostonpublicschools.org/parentuniversity.

PHOTOS: Parents learn about concepts taught in the elementary mathematics curriculum "Investigations" in a Parent University session about supporting students' learning in math.