#caedchat is for California educators, by California educators. All are welcome as moderators and participants discuss issues that emerge in California education, which are generally applicable to other regions of the United States.
Welcome to #caedchat, where educators gather to share and collaborate!
Let’s all take a moment to introduce ourselves. Where are you from? What do you teach? #caedchat
Kim, MS Science Teacher in Fresno. A few weeks ago @TechCoachSusan and I put on an awesome STEM Night at an Elementary School, which is what inspired the chat topic for tonight #CAedchat
Moderators will post questions with Q1, Q2, Q3. Participants respond with A1, A2, A3, etc. And don't forget to include the hashtag with each tweet #caedchat
HELLLLLLLO #CAedchat! So excited to be here chatting PARENT ENGAGEMENT tonight! Susan Stewart here, instructional technology coach from central California!
Welcome to #caedchat, where educators gather to share and collaborate!
Let’s all take a moment to introduce ourselves. Where are you from? What do you teach? #caedchat
Leila here, I serve students, parents, educators, support personnel and the community of Escondido as the Deputy Superintendent of the Escondido Union School District #caedchat
Welcome to #caedchat, where educators gather to share and collaborate!
Let’s all take a moment to introduce ourselves. Where are you from? What do you teach? #caedchat
A1) parent engagement means that parents aren't just there when something's wrong. Parents need to be ever present in the school community to get the point across that #ItTakesAVillage. I know I'm preaching to the choir on this one! We need parents. #CAedchat
A1 So many things! At @CompassCs we strongly believe that #parents are a critical piece of our #CompassExperience! Parents are our partners in supporting their #scholars along their ed journey. Only together can we positively impact our scholars & ensure they are ready! #caedchat
A1 - Parent engagement means parents are an important part of the classroom. They feel a part of the process.
I agree with @zrocca that it #TakesAVillage#caedchat
A1 Christy from Escondido - 7/8 math. Parent engagement means that parents are actively involved in their child's education. It might just mean keeping up on grades/email, or might be activities at the school. #CAedchat
Rick Stevens from San Francisco area. Taught for 25 years. Everything from elementary classroom to reading to high school English. Now consultant. #caedchat
A1: parent engagement means not only following the progress of your child's education, being involved in the process too. Proactively rather than reactively. #caedchat
A1:Parents invested and supporting their child’s education. You don’t need to be a volunteer, a frequent attendee at events, etc. to be engaged. We must guard against that definition. Lots of ways to be engaged. #caedchat
A1 Parent Engagement to me means keeping the parents informed and involved up to a point. I want the parents to know what we are doing in the classroom so they can have conversations with their students about the goings on in the classroom. #caedchat
A1 - As a parent myself, I appreciate feeling like a part of the school. Just seeing pictures posted from the classroom makes me feel like I have insight into the class and helps my conversations at night with my kids.
#caedchat
A1: Parent engagement means actively involving parents in their kids' teaching & learning experiences. It mean there is genuine 2-way communication between T & P. #caedchat
A#1- I think the more parent engagement the better. I think parents should be at school events and in the classroom. The more involved they are, the more excited the student is going to be & hopefully with the parents involved the student will work harder. #caedchat#gcitech2360
ABSOLUTELY! Seeing a picture or post from the school day changes the conversation at home from "What did you do at school today..." (and Ss saying "NOTHING") to "Tell me more about that great story you read about _____." #CAedchat
#CAedchat A2: Everyone benefits when schools and parents work together to form a well-functioning team! We are #BetterTogether! There is lots and lots of research that shows how much impact parent engagement has on student success at school.
A2 Parents need to know what's going on to make them partners in their child's education. It also opens the door to positive communication between parents & Ts. #CAedchat
I agree, Ashley, though participating at school events and in the classroom can be challenging for some of our families. Are there other ways to demonstrate engagement? #caedchat
I agree! I think it is also very important for the parent to feel welcomed and encouraged to be in the classroom. If they dont feel welcome, they may feel to uncomfortable to come back. #caedchat#gcitech2360
A2 - Parents have the biggest influence on the students. Getting them as a partner in education is far more valuable than a detractor. The more we can share what we are doing, makes them feel like equals in education.
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A2: student success is achieved by all stakeholders being involved. Stakeholders being family, community, and educational members of the student's surrounding. #CAedchat
A2 Parents are our stakeholders, too, so keeping them engaged is of the utmost importance. We all need to be on the same team, and when we are not, then the system breaks down. #CAedchat
A2) Parent engagement is the complete difference between the normal and the remarkable. If students see a united front from every role model in their lives, then there is no question about priorities. This is when something special begins to transform culture #CAedchat
A2: Students spend far more time outside of school than in it. As such, it's in our best interest to ensure parents are as active as possible in their child’s education. #caedchat
A2 I think parents feel like they don't understand how their kids are being taught today-it might be very different than when they were in school. Everything we can do to help that helps the kids. #CAedchat
Parents engagement is so critical to student success...especially if they feel like partners. I try to involve parents in student goal setting which makes it easier for them to support what's happening in the classroom #caedchat
A2: We need them engaged because it literally has a positive impact onto their child’s experience at school. It takes a team, and that includes parents. #CAedchat
A2: I learned early on in elementary that Ss who had actively engaged parents were more focused in their learning. Side benefit was that behavior problems disappeared when parent felt comfortable visiting class. #CAedchat
"In many ways, individual and organizational learnability, adaptability and agility, have become the new norms of the day.”
[NEW] New Awareness For A New Age https://t.co/MXI3Mnf6yn#caedchat#edchat
A2: The students and their parents are schools entire reason for existing. If we don’t develop trust, positive relationships and the opportunity to engage in a shared purpose , we simply can’t do our best work. #caedchat
A2 Similiar to my A1, #parents are a key feature of a successful educational experience. I have read studies which highlight the higher chances of #scholars’ #academic success w/involved parents. We need our partners at the table! #caedchat
A2: just today I was reading about the differences of student success in reading between those students who played video games and played during summer vacation and those who read during summer vacation. Environment matters. #CAedchat
A!: Actively finding meaningful ways to include Ps in the education of their children and in appropriate school decisions -- surveys, analysing results, input opportunities, informal conversations, speaker events, new parent buddies, addressing issues #caedchat#parentaandschool
A1: It means learning enough of my students' home language so their parents feel comfortable interacting with me...and making sure we have a translator on hand to help with the rest! #caedchat@lrsd
A2: how can you get a student to engage I'd you don't make your interest in their lives outside the classroom sincere? That means knowing where check parents work morning/night shift and calling with positive news in addition to concerns. #CAedchat@lrsd
#CAedchat A3: We engage parents lots of ways! We have special event nights and family activity nights, as well as offer parent courses. There is also regular engagement through tools like @ClassDojo and @Seesaw. Teachers & Principals share pictures and updates from the classroom
This is so true! I try to make positive contact with all parents early in the year so that I already have a relationship if a difficult conversation needs to occur #CAedchat
And home access to Internet (high speed would be even better!), Not limited to a cellular service, or digital hw is not even an option. #caedchat@ArkansasEd
In reply to
@CHansenCA, @AshleyGangwish, @Dale_Chu, @CAedchat, @ArkansasEd
A3 - Anything more than a newsletter made by teachers. As I parent, I’m more engaged with what my own kid is making.
My son started a student run newspaper on Google Docs. Published twice a month made by students, for students!
#caedchat
A3) @fresnounified has parent university regularly to help provide information to parents on happenings. We always ask for parent volunteers for a variety of activities. Our SSC is reaching out for new members all the time. My question was-how do we recruit? #CAedchat
A3:Our district provides a full time Family Liaison at every school . They are relationship builders, information conduits, parent educators, translators and positive culture builders #caedchat
Important to remember that many of the parents who we most want to engage did not have positive experiences in school themselves - we have to help them see how it will be different and better for their kids. #caedchat
A3: we have some engagement nights, many teachers use @RemindHQ to keep parents updated, I run the school Twitter and try to post as many things as possible about what classes are doing #CAedchat
A3- Since I am not in my own classroom yet, so I will use an example of the class I volunteer in. For their Valentines party they made it a reading party, so the parents got to come to the school and celebrate their children's hard work learning to read. #caedchat#gcitech2360
A3 As a public, virtual #charterschool, I am proud of our efforts to engage our #parents at @CompassCs! We hold Parent/Teacher Conferences, Coffee w/Compass, Parent Town Halls, Welcome Back Night, a Virtual Suggestion Box, & more! And we ask how else we can #partner! #caedchat
A:3 We are fortunate to have Parent Involvement Specialists at each of our sites that coordinate parent outreach meetings. Also, coffee with the principal, and grade level parent meetings. Other PTA meetings and family events encourage parent participation #caedchat
A3: One thing I did with other elem Ts in my team was to have #parents come in to teach specialty group activities from cooking to macrame to building. Kind of our own 20% time #caedchat
A3 I am not as good as I should be at keeping parents engaged. I teach part time speech and debate and see Ss every other day. I take pictures and post them on our school portal. I email and try to post grades as soon as I possible. #CAedchat
A3: invite parents to chaperone and into the classroom during the middle school years, not just elementary. Even though the parents of my students work long hours, they liked being *asked* #caedchat
A3: In the past I have paired parent’s interest/passion to create programs. My greatest success was a program that brought art to our classrooms. #caedchat
Engaging parents through the arts is a proven strategy. @CaliforniaPTA has a great site based program for all parents that includes interactive arts called School Smarts — https://t.co/erkyZsPg2f#caedchat
A1: Inviting parents to learn about what is happening at the school. Ways to support their child’s education, from literacy skills, math, computer skills, school specialities. Empower parents to ask teachers how they can support their child’s learning at home. #CAedChat
A3: Our district website has lots of resources for parents. We are currently seeking parent and community input using a new tool @thoughtxchng It is really cool #caedchat
A4 - In middle school it is tough. Parents try and give students freedom, when these are the years they need to be the most involved. Sat in on too many discipline meetings where parents said they have “given up”. Let’s help them be engaged!
#CAedchat
A4) speaking from personal experiences parent involvement became more complicated as I got older. It didn't look and feel the same. In elementary you have boosters that try to do it all. By high school it's the students working side by side #CAedchat
#CAedchat A4: The relationship with parents does shift as students get older. Parents need to be just as informed, but they are now getting messages from multiple Ts!! We need to make sure that practices and policies are messaged and ENFORCED with consistency.
A4: I've noticed that many middle school parents seem to prefer virtual engagement instead of face to face, we don't get a lot of people at engagement nights, but we are getting more that follow us on social media and connecting in that way #caedchat
A4: We are K-12. Parents need different support at transitional grades. When my coworker taught elem he did a Father's Day T-Ball event. Tennis ball homerun derby at a park, hot dogs, printed jerseys. As Ss get older parent involvement morphs and is less event driven. #caedchat
I think the logistics are just harder in middle - kids are with different teachers all day, not just one. Also, Ss aren't quite as thrilled to have their parents there as the elem. are. #CAedchat
At all levels, starting early, we have to creatively & continually get parents thinking about higher education — and setting the expectation that their children can & will go on and succeed in college. #caedchat
A4 I’m at a K-8 school, and our EL parents are really involved with the classrooms. We have a parent committee that helps our school. It is headed by middle school parents with great support throughout the grades. We have a parent coffee monthly. #CAedchat
A2: When a student knows their parents or families are involved, they do better, not just academically, but with behaviors. The home school connection is so important. Inviting parents to school for various events/activities provides the buy in to the school community #CAedchat
A4 The opportunities do not go away at @CompassCs but may evolve. The key is to have opportunities & ensure #parents are aware of the ways they can be involved in their #scholars#edu. We promote weekly in our Monday Morning Update through @SmorePages & @ParentSquare! #caedchat
A4: It is important at all levels. Its easier for parents at younger ages, but we need to keep them engaged at higher levels as well. Maybe keep parents more involved through social media with older students. #caedchat#gcitech2360
A4: I work with at risk high school students. Many times providing community resources to families go a long way. Working with parents to set realistic targets after high school by offering career fairs and engaging CTE programs. #CAedchat
A4: I wrote some grants that allowed us to do science field trips at middle school. Parent chaperones made it successful. Much more learning engagement by Ss too. #caedchat
All the more reason to invite parents to events! Also, sit with them in the bleachers and show you know their kids outside of the seating chart...but maybe not until October, to be on the safe side! #caedchat
our HS just had a CTE fair for the 8th graders and other HS students, it was during the day so not many parents came but I wish they would have had it at night so parents could see the different options #caedchat
A4: for middle school, I'm thinking we need to invite @Surgeon_General to come give a talk to parents on vaccines, followed by a free vaccination clinic. #caedchat
I taught Parent University using @FamsInSchools literacy program to teach literacy skills for families to support reading. In my new position we support Parent University with World of Work @CVWorldofWork sessions. Providing info. on career development in TK-8th grade #CAedchat
In reply to
@CAedchat, @FamsInSchools, @CVWorldofWork
We do a holiday family celebration. Each class performs a song. We have a dessert party and encourage families to go out together afterwards. #caedchat
A5: my son's school does STEM, Math and Culture Nights. I don't know if it gets more people to come, but it does give parents an idea of what the night will be focused on #CAedchat
Exactly! Some of our families depend on those students to work and help support the family. Educating them on career opportunities and trade schools can make a world of difference. #CAedchat
A5 - Did a Family Coding Night after #HourofCode and a family dance at my kid’s school. I want to try an Invention Convention to showcase 20% projects next year.
#CAedchat
A5: Food is magic when parent involvement is concerned. We had Ss present food their family cooked, along with stories. Printed them. Served food at school event for all to sample. #caedchat
Our annual fund raiser is a bike a thon. We set up carnival games (free) and eat a catered lunch together. I'm always encouraged by this day. #caedchat
thats very cool! my co-workers engineer husband came and talked to my class, turns our he's dyslexic and that connected to so many of my kids, one of the best speakers I've ever had #CAedchat
A5: I have never had an engagement night, but I would say theme. I think it would make the night more exciting and maybe have more parents show up if they know to expect. #caedchat#gcitech2360
Don’t shy away from topics like how our schools are doing & ideas for improvement too — some great videos on the CA School Dashboard — https://t.co/BGnxG03zTv and at @CDEfoundation — #https://cdefoundation.org/cde_programs/alliance-for-continuous-improvement/ #caedchat
In my experience at elementary, it's easy to get most parents involved, especially if the process starts in the fist year. In MS and HS one needs to be more strategic. Events need to be student run and a chance for them to share their understandings. #caedchat
The purpose is the same at all levels, but the design various depending on level. Parent input to the what they want and need is crucial. Inviting Ss to attend can be ideal too, esp in middle & HS. Many times we need Ss to attend to translate and assist parents #CAedchat
A4: The purpose is the same at all levels, but the design various depending on level. Parent input to the what they want and need is crucial. Inviting Ss to attend can be ideal too, esp in middle & HS. Many times we need Ss to attend to translate and assist parents #CAedchat
Agreed! I shared our @CompassCs Dashboard results at our Parent Town Halls in December, & asked our #CCSSLC Scholar Leadership Council & #CCSPAC Parent Advisory Council what additional supports we might provide to support #scholars be academically successful. #caedchat
A6) There are some engagements such as edutext alerts and school messenger calls, but no major virtual engagements. Our parents either don't have the skills (that we could teach) or are uninterested/unwilling to try. Its surprising and frustrating. #CAedchat
#CAedchat A6: ALL THE WAYS! There are so many amazing digital options. My elems use a lot of @ClassDojo and @Seesaw. It's amazing how much of a window into the classroom these tools offer parents!
A5: In the schools I have been in they use apps like Seesaw and Artsonia. Its really cool, parents can like and comment on their children's work and the children really love posting pictures for their parents to see. #caedchat#gcitech2360
A6 - I set up a web site with tutorial videos for both students and parents. Helps parents better understand what I am teaching them
Share videos on a YouTube Channel. Great way for students to feel like they are making something for an audience.
#CAedchat
A6: @StephanieGlanz, does an amazing thing: she has the class do positive phone calls to parents during class to give a fellow student a shout out! Parents have been known to cry tears of joy. #caedchat
A5: Themes are great to bring on curiosity and or clarity. In our Parent WOW @CVWorldofWork sessions we created an escape room activity for families to have fun while exploring the concepts. They worked together to solve the challenges which brought a community sense #CAedchat
#CAedchat A6 part 2: As a Mom - I LOVE getting little alerts and notifications of positivity and student creation throughout the day! Nothing brightens my day like my daughters' voices! My kids' grandparents in another state are connected to these too! They can be engaged, too!
More than themes, I like hosting open sessions where Ps of specific grades can discuss topics important to them. No talk of individual Ss or Ts. Many would email me topics ahead of time. Challenging to walk into these meetings, but always high quality, meaningful input. #caedchat
This is what I want and planned to so, but I've been so busy. I saw a cool thing where all assignments had QR codes that linked to teachers how to video. I want to do something similar with videos for all topics and subjects. #CAedchat
I believe social media is one of the easiest ways to communicate with parents. Most parents have a @Twitter or @instagram , so its sometimes easier than having them download an app they might forget to look at. #caedchat#gcitech2360
In reply to
@VanNormanJosh, @Twitter, @instagram, @YouTube, @Twitter, @instagram
A:6 Our grade level uses @RemindHQ and email. I'm trying to be better about sending on the spot pics to parents with Remind. They love seeing learning in action. We have a school Facebook page as well. #CAedchat
A7 - Some parents have liked being guardians in Google Classroom. Great way for them to know what is due and when their child is missing assignments.
#caedchat
A6: In the schools I have been in they use apps like Seesaw and Artsonia. Its really cool, parents can like and comment on their children's work and the children really love posting pictures for their parents to see. #caedchat#gcitech2360
#CAedchat A7: I like to highlight their student successes and make sure the parent contact stays as positive as possible! Bring them in with the things they love the most - their KIDS!
A6: One engaging virtual strategy is movie making with Ss that they and parents are interested in. and sharing on YouTube https://t.co/W0FLteHa0s#CAedchat
Q6: Our Parent University have translation needs in both Spanish and Arabic. Emails, Letters, phone calls are done in different languages for parents to understand. Many times face to face invites and conversations bring in more parent involvement to attend sessions. #CAedchat
I think you've identified a major point. Schools need to know all their parents. Do morning or evening events work best? Or, are some events important enough to offer at both times? #caedchat
In reply to
@CrazySciTeach, @CHansenCA, @istaylearning, @CAedchat
A:7 Sometimes I drop everything and do a positive phone call home right in the middle of class. I've softened even the most reluctant parents by doing this. #caedchat
A7) I let my enthusiasm speak for itself. At parent-teacher conferences I spend a good amount of time talking up the benefits of being pro-active in the school community. At the same time I talk up @ClassDojo in class parents want to watch from afar #CAedchat
A7: Making sure the parent feels heard and knowing you truly care about their child is important. Calling home and checking in once in a while and keeping them updated through social media so they feel like they know what is going on in the classroom. #caedchat#gcitech2360
A8 - Get students to publish work for their parents. Get parents to be a part of the learning at home. Keep it going all year round through multiple ways. Be a cheerleader and the parents will join in. Celebrate all students AND their parents!
#caedchat
#CAedchat A8: In order to maximize participation, it’s important that we are thorough in messaging events and activities to parents. Families are busy! We need to make sure the parents have time to make plans and arrangements.
Thank you for giving of your time and your amazing ideas tonight. Be sure to invite others to join us @CAedchat every Sunday. It’s an amazing place to grow your PLN. Go out and do good work this week. #caedchat
A7: Don't push too much. Consistently share the positive things their child is doing. Keep that line of communication open. Positive persistance will wear them down. #CAedchat
Be sure to follow some new educators from tonight’s chat AND use the #caedchat hashtag all week long to share resources, ideas, and questions! Continue the discussion! Don't forget to check out our Facebook page https://t.co/Wr3hqbPg8L
