#2ndchat is a Twitter hashtag that can be used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other second grade educators from around the world. Every other week we will discuss a different topic. It's a great way to help grow your PLN (Professional/Personal Learning Network) and share ideas with others.
Greetings and welcome to the first #2ndchat of 2018! I can't think of a better topic to kick off the year than Rethinking Family Engagement. But then I'm biased... I'm a parent! Tell us who you are and where you're tweeting from.
About me: I'm Jeremy in West Hartford, Connecticut, parent of girls in 3rd grade & 8th grade (and a huge fan of 2nd grade). I'm an editor for an education agency (@ctserc), Board member of @ParentCamp, and I'm big on family engagement, digital citizenship & Twitter PLNs! #2ndchat
Greetings and welcome to the first #2ndchat of 2018! I can't think of a better topic to kick off the year than Rethinking Family Engagement. But then I'm biased... I'm a parent! Tell us who you are and where you're tweeting from.
Debbie from Chicago and more specifically from the mancave. Sharing with my husband until my computer is fixed. I'll be running up to the living room to take care of Kid O and back. #2ndchat
A1 Family engagement is important because we’re all stakeholders. Students need guidance from families and teachers. We’re all in this together. #2ndchat
A1: Because family is half of the equation - teachers have a different perspective and understanding of the child which is why family engagement is so critical. #2ndchat
A1: We know relationships are key. Parent-teacher, family-school, parent-child....ALL relationships. We need to build and nurture each of them for the most growth and progress. #2ndchat
A1: Great education is rooted in strong relationships. A student's model for strong relationships starts at home and is foundational to who they are and how they develop relationships at school. #2ndchat
A1: We know relationships are key. Parent-teacher, family-school, parent-child....ALL relationships. We need to build and nurture each of them for the most growth and progress. #2ndchat
A1: Family engagement is important because schools are a part of the community, educators serve the community, and the community impacts our students. The better we synchronize communication between everyone involved the greater impact we can have. #2ndchat
A1: Family engagement is important because schools are a part of the community, educators serve the community, and the community impacts our students. The better we synchronize communication between everyone involved the greater impact we can have. #2ndchat
A2 Family engagement at my site means creating learning partnerships and opportunities with/for our parents. Parent workshops, parent volunteer opportunities, family nights, student learning celebrations, involvement in decision-making process. So many possibilities! #2ndchat
A2: Making sure parents understand that being part of a school COMMUNITY is as much their experience as it is the child's. For many parents, the child's school is one of the primary communities they identify with. #2ndchat
A2. We have @CanvasLMS - I’m ADDicted to twitter so yes- I and my kids tweet- we also do PBL’s and have Readers Theater Performance and would like to do a Tech night - kids showcase all their knowledge. #2ndchat
A2: One of my strengths (?) has always been building relationships with parents. I'm usually on a first-name basis with most of them, and I truly enjoy getting to know them as much as I do their child. #2ndchat
At least you try. I've had staff, OT, PT and speech therapist in particular sabotage this at meetings regarding Kid O who is severely disabled. #2ndchat
A3 there is a difference between family engagement and family involvement. Involvement is coming in and helping beautify the school or making copies. Engagement means parents as partners in learning. #2ndchat
EVENING EVENTS are not family engagement. There must be strategic high &low tech efforts on part of school leader and school team to meet (all) families where they are #2ndchat
A2: One of my strengths (?) has always been building relationships with parents. I'm usually on a first-name basis with most of them, and I truly enjoy getting to know them as much as I do their child. #2ndchat
A3: Good family engagement: Creating opportunities for the parent and child to collaborate, problem solve and create together. Bad: Doing no more than just checking grades online. #2ndchat
A3: It's not an annual, 15-minute parent/teacher conference or having a parent initial a test or similar. It requires seeing them, speaking with them, asking them for their assistance/support. #2ndchat
A3 What isn't family engagement is telling a parent you know your kid better than anyone and then proceeding to be condescending to that very same parent. #2ndchat
@kosienm I use first names as well. I do little things like making sure I am not sitting in a bigger chair. Sometimes Ps come with a prejudice toward schools/teaching. I need to remove that and begin building ours. #2ndchat
A3 I think the big myth is that parents need to back off in middle school. Engagement may look different depending on what your child is comfortablewith, but it’s not the time to drop the reins.#2ndchat
A3 there is a difference between family engagement and family involvement. Involvement is coming in and helping beautify the school or making copies. Engagement means parents as partners in learning. #2ndchat
A3: That families that don’t engage are not invested in there Ss learning. Parents who work to support family maybe unable to engage, which we know engagement takes many forms. Just because a parent doesn’t all PTA/PTC doesn’t equal lack of engagement. #2ndchat
A3: It's not an annual, 15-minute parent/teacher conference or having a parent initial a test or similar. It requires seeing them, speaking with them, asking them for their assistance/support. #2ndchat
A3 Very few members of staff have treated me like an equal. Kid O is almost 22, and it's been pretty rare when my opinions have truly been valued. #2ndchat
So hard. My school does a good job with Ps of Sped Ss overall - we have 2 self contained autism and 2 self contained ED. #2ndchat Of course not everyone feels heard.
Yes, yes, yes. Just bc our kids take notice (more so) in middle school that we parents are around, doesn't mean we should disappear. Kids need to see parents & educators working together - on and offline. #2ndchat
I can't stress enough how much what happens during the day, in the classrooms, are what's most important to me. That's my child's lived experience. #2ndchat
EVENING EVENTS are not family engagement. There must be strategic high &low tech efforts on part of school leader and school team to meet (all) families where they are #2ndchat
A3: It’s a myth that parents in title 1 schools intentionally avoid involvement in their child’s education. The assumption is they don’t care, but what’s often the case is they are working and unable to participate in school events. #2ndchat
A4: We need to also recognize the work/life challenges facing working parents in terms of engagement; so many lack time and far too few companies "get it" in terms of how critical it is that parents are actively engaged. #2ndchat
A3: It’s a myth that parents in title 1 schools intentionally avoid involvement in their child’s education. The assumption is they don’t care, but what’s often the case is they are working and unable to participate in school events. #2ndchat
A4: I love our Dad's day at school. We need more events like that...but I know it is hard on Ps to be there. So, I do my best to help them to see the day. My tool of choice is @ClassDojo#2ndchat
I’m still active, though not as much, at the high school level. I like to know the teachers and the curriculum. Prepares for discussions around homework. Email is also great when there’s a struggle #2ndchat
I was just going to tweet something similar. Teachers need to respect and understand that about parents. We don't know their challenges to being part of their child's educ. #2ndchat
My Family Events page https://t.co/g9ezgHWm8K Have parents work with staff to plan fun learning experiences. Provide for child care and have refreshments. #2ndchat
I feel like they're fine if they didn't hear from us after the orientation. As long as we show up at the concerts and volunteer now and then. C'MON, man! #2ndchat
When Kid O was in 7th grade, the teacher welcomed me, but the principal and school nurse did not. They called DCFS twice on me in a period of six weeks. #2ndchat
I also don't give homework. But I share the skills and give Ps questions to talk with their kids about what they're learning. I encourage games, reading together,cooking. #2ndchat
A2: Family engagements has various forms, from attending school activities to promoting a positive school culture. The parent who watch as our walkers walk home, and contact us of a concern. Also, parents which go the extra mile for the benefit of the student body. #2ndchat
I am reminded of the write-up I've seen a couple of times now about the Dad's Day in Houston (?), where many dads couldn't make it and they put out a call, after which hundreds of "dads" showed up... #2ndchat
Yes, yes, yes. Just bc our kids take notice (more so) in middle school that we parents are around, doesn't mean we should disappear. Kids need to see parents & educators working together - on and offline. #2ndchat
Tidbit about me: I've been through the DCFS wringer three times. Two of those times involved school nurses being vicious. Third time involved a new teacher who was hypervigilant. #2ndchat
A4 There are everyday things you can do like connecting with other parents. Introduce yourself at activities to other moms and dads. We’ve all got questions and we’ve all got answers. You’d be surprised how many are isolated. #2ndchat
Exactly. It should not just be orientation, conferences and events. I think middle/high need more visibility. Some parents do not feel as comfortable w/ that curriculum as elementary grades. #2ndchat
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @mcarlson110, @PMcPeake1
Back from bedtime stories. I also like to ask parents their ideas on how to do a project too (ie plumbing related). Parents can be great to collaborate with. They don't always have to come in to share their expertise #2ndchat
A3: That families that don’t engage are not invested in there Ss learning. Parents who work to support family maybe unable to engage, which we know engagement takes many forms. Just because a parent doesn’t all PTA/PTC doesn’t equal lack of engagement. #2ndchat
@classdojo has worked best. They don't seem to check our Twitter at all. I have the most interaction on Dojo. I share LOTS of photos, celebrations, info. #2ndchat
Back from bedtime stories. I also like to ask parents their ideas on how to do a project too (ie plumbing related). Parents can be great to collaborate with. They don't always have to come in to share their expertise #2ndchat
I always appreciate email communication. I have the kids use it as well, if they need to miss and ask for homework or have questions. It’s convenient. #2ndchat
In most projects documentation comes last, if that’s the case with a evolving thoughts and best-practices, where in an overburdened system is a person collecting and purposing all the wisdom? #2ndchat
And you don't have to know the curriculum any more than knowing how to play the instrument their child plays. Families can be invited to engage in the experience. #2ndchat
A5: A huge impetus for starting our podcast was to give families and the community the opportunity to better understand the perspectives and approaches of our teachers. Relatively low effort, but very high impact! #2ndchat
A4: We have had conferences in meeting rooms in apartment buildings, had teachers ride school buses to contact parents who aren’t mobile, and we have scheduled events on weekends for those who can’t reach us on weekdays. #2ndchat
A5 SeeSaw is the main one I use. I love the direct/private message system now in place. Our school does Facebook where I'll send posts (that's the social media the majority of our caregivers are) #2ndchat
My Family Events page https://t.co/g9ezgHWm8K Have parents work with staff to plan fun learning experiences. Provide for child care and have refreshments. #2ndchat
A5: @Seesaw. At the beginning of the year I shared suggestions for "how" parents can leave comments to address their child's efforts and progress, or to ask questions to learn more. #2ndchat
Parents need to help other parents understand how to engage. As a grandparent I’m far more comfortabledealing with an authority figure than I was as a parent.#2ndchat
Sorry- family issue but back:) I use Twitter constantly and also do a @Flipagram a week as a snapshot of the week-
We also have our @canvas and @weebly classroom website
#2ndchat
A reminder why we're talking FAMILY engagement. Parents are defined many ways. ... Do I have to wait for grandparent-hood to feel comfortable with authority? ;) #2ndchat
Parents need to help other parents understand how to engage. As a grandparent I’m far more comfortabledealing with an authority figure than I was as a parent.#2ndchat
A6: We need to think about what we share- let it be a true picture of what's happening at school. Share things that are hard to explain in words only. #2ndchat
A6 I can’t help but feel if parents and teachers understood each other a little better as well as the value everyone brings to the table...engagement would have to be at the top of the priority list. #2ndchat
A6: We need to think about what we share- let it be a true picture of what's happening at school. Share things that are hard to explain in words only. #2ndchat
And again, there isn't much guidance. I often grumble on here how my kids' schools aren't using tech enough, and then I learn about something I didn't know they're doing. Communication is key. #2ndchat
@JeremyDBond Not just seeing the final result. The learning happens in the process of the project. The final product is a display of what happened. 2/2 #2ndchat
A7 Collectively as a system I'd like to see more consistent communication over the course of the year instead of little communication and then P/T interviews or student led conferences a couple times a year #2ndchat
A7: Communicating with educators, asking questions, checking in. Looking over work, going over things, again asking when unclear. Show educators respect, especially in front of Ss. Show them we are here for them, together #2ndchat
A7. I see both parents, Students and I working together! I see kids taking the lead and teaching as opposed to me talking;) My room is always open and the lines of communication are always open. #2ndchat
A7 Families will be their families much longer than I will be their teacher! Engaging families in the life of the classroom supports and empowers them in this role. #2ndchat
Preach. Love the student-led conferences... that's great. But it literally ends there. In the fall. Family engagement isn't checking off a box. Ideally it's ongoing and always. #2ndchat
A7 Collectively as a system I'd like to see more consistent communication over the course of the year instead of little communication and then P/T interviews or student led conferences a couple times a year #2ndchat
Keep spreading the word and showing other teachers a lot of the great experiences we've had as a class learning and connecting through Twitter #2ndchat
Q8) BONUS: Have you been involved in a ParentCamp or any other activity with community partners to provide family leadership opportunities? Tell us about anything you’ve done or would like to try this year. #2ndchat
It's done a little in the student-led conferences... but the whole dang this is 15 minutes long and covers 7 subjects (talking middle school). #2ndchat
Q8) BONUS: Have you been involved in a ParentCamp or any other activity with community partners to provide family leadership opportunities? Tell us about anything you’ve done or would like to try this year. #2ndchat
A8. I'd like to have more exposure to things like that. Never heard of it or the opportunities so that shows a lack of something just in my area. #2ndchat
It really depends on whom you follow. If you want it to be all about education, it mostly is. ("Mostly" because of people like me who also share politics. No "trash," though!) #2ndchat
Thanks for all you guys/gals do. You being here shows how much you care and that’s so vitally important. May your messages and best practices spread. There is a receptive audience. #2ndchat
Before we go, I want to thank @missmac100 for inviting me. Parent voice is so important.
...not to mention student voice. I see a student-led chat in the future... #2ndchat
Thanks! I once heard from a teacher, "We're not doing Twitter anymore." Then the principal cited teachers using it at a PTO meeting but I'm still not seeing it. I'm confused. #2ndchat
It really depends on whom you follow. If you want it to be all about education, it mostly is. ("Mostly" because of people like me who also share politics. No "trash," though!) #2ndchat
A8 You’re ringing my bell now! We’re getting ready for another parent camp this month. I made some great connections at our last one; informative, relaxed and great way to learn from other parents. #2ndchat
A7 Families will be their families much longer than I will be their teacher! Engaging families in the life of the classroom supports and empowers them in this role. #2ndchat
