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For PTA standards I believe that standard 1 would be applicable. PTA Standard 1 “The first is creating a welcoming climate. When families walk into the school building, they should feel that it is a place where they “belong.” Are there opportunities for families to develop personal relationships with teachers and other school staff, including the principal? Is the atmosphere family friendly for everyone, not just for the in crowd? Are there many ways to volunteer and help out, even for parents who may be working two jobs or don’t speak English, live near the school, or have a car?”
“The second goal for this standard is building a respectful, inclusive school community. All the school’s policies and programs should reflect, respect, and value the diversity of the families in the community. Do school staff value the contributions of all families and work together with families to identify and address barriers to involvement, such as differences of race, education, and culture? Are events, programs, and activities for families and students low-cost or free? Are they open to the whole family and offered at convenient times and places?”
I appreciate your post Hollowleg, as a new parent to the community a welcoming environment is something I look for in my child's school. I know that if I feel welcome my child will too!
As a valued educator NAEYC states that all teachers should: Support for children as individuals and as members of families, cultures, and communities curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation support children’s diversity, which includes not only children’s ages, individual learning styles, and temperaments but also their culture, racial identity, language, and the values of their families and communities.
You're totally right Kara, and got me thinking that PTA standard 4 would apply as well!
PTA Standard 4 “School staff and PTAs/parent groups can make a critical contribution by ensuring all students have an advocate—whether it’s a family member, teacher, or community volunteer and by offering opportunities for parents and community members to learn and practice the special set of skills that speaking up for children requires.”
Hollowleg....PTA Standard 4 is right on! NAEYC agrees and they say that the teacher should be an advocate by: Developing and providing alternative, creative strategies to promote all children’s participation and learning. Creativity and collaboration are needed to ensure that all children, whatever their current language proficiency or culture, have the opportunity to participate fully in the program’s learning opportunities. Collaborative work groups, including teachers and families, can develop flexible approaches that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate.
Yes advocacy by both teacher and parent is essential and to make this most effective, it is imperative that one gets to know their resources in the community. PTA Standard 6 really hits home this pt.
PTA Standard 6 “Connecting the school with community resources. Parent and school leaders should work closely with neighborhood associations, government agencies, businesses, and institutions of higher education to strengthen the school. These collaborations should make resources available to students, school staff, and families and build a family-friendly community. What links to community resources has the school forged? Have parents and families been part of that process? In what ways has support from community partners been organized? What are the plans to turn the school into a hub of community life? How do the partnerships with community groups strengthen families and support student success?”
Hollowleg & Kara Thanks for the information on PTA & NAEYC. I have to do a project regarding diversity in the classroom & this information helps a lot!
All very good questions and points! NAEYC follows those same guidelines by publishing the following principles: 1) To advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services needed to be successful. 2) To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program. Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues
3) To respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure, culture, language, customs, and beliefs to ensure a culturally consistent environment for all children and families.
For PTA standards I believe that standard 1 would be applicable.
ReplyDeletePTA Standard 1
“The first is creating a welcoming climate. When families walk into the school building, they should feel that it is a place where they “belong.” Are there opportunities for families to develop personal relationships with teachers and other school staff, including the principal? Is the atmosphere family friendly for everyone, not just for the in crowd? Are there many ways to volunteer and help out, even for parents who may be working two jobs or don’t speak English, live near the school, or have a car?”
“The second goal for this standard is building a respectful, inclusive school community. All the school’s policies and programs should reflect, respect, and value the diversity of the families in the community. Do school staff value the contributions of all families and work together with families to identify and address barriers to involvement, such as differences of race, education, and culture? Are events, programs, and activities for families and students low-cost or free? Are they open to the whole family and offered at convenient times and places?”
I appreciate your post Hollowleg, as a new parent to the community a welcoming environment is something I look for in my child's school. I know that if I feel welcome my child will too!
DeleteAs a valued educator NAEYC states that all teachers should:
ReplyDeleteSupport for children as individuals and as members of families, cultures, and communities curriculum, assessment, and program evaluation support children’s diversity, which includes not only children’s ages, individual learning styles, and temperaments but also their culture, racial identity, language, and the values of their families and communities.
I couldn't agree more. I especially think you're right in how you incorporate cultural elements as well!
DeleteYou're totally right Kara, and got me thinking that PTA standard 4 would apply as well!
ReplyDeletePTA Standard 4
“School staff and PTAs/parent groups can make a critical contribution by ensuring all students have an advocate—whether it’s a family member, teacher, or community volunteer and by offering opportunities for parents and community members to learn and practice the special set of skills that speaking up for children requires.”
Hollowleg....PTA Standard 4 is right on! NAEYC agrees and they say that the teacher should be an advocate by: Developing and providing alternative, creative strategies to promote all children’s participation and learning. Creativity and collaboration are needed to ensure that all children, whatever their current language proficiency or culture, have the opportunity to participate fully in the program’s learning opportunities. Collaborative work groups, including teachers and families, can develop flexible approaches that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate.
ReplyDeleteYes advocacy by both teacher and parent is essential and to make this most effective, it is imperative that one gets to know their resources in the community. PTA Standard 6 really hits home this pt.
DeletePTA Standard 6
“Connecting the school with community resources. Parent and school leaders should work closely with neighborhood associations, government agencies, businesses, and institutions of higher education to strengthen the school. These collaborations should make resources available to students, school staff, and families and build a family-friendly community. What links to community resources has the
school forged? Have parents and families been part of that process? In what ways has support from community partners been organized? What are the plans to turn the school into a hub of community life? How do the partnerships
with community groups strengthen families and support student success?”
Hollowleg & Kara Thanks for the information on PTA & NAEYC. I have to do a project regarding diversity in the classroom & this information helps a lot!
DeleteAll very good questions and points! NAEYC follows those same guidelines by publishing the following principles:
ReplyDelete1) To advocate for and ensure that all children, including those with special needs, have access to the support services needed to be successful.
2) To ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity, and family structure are recognized and valued in the program.
Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues
3) To respect the dignity and preferences of each family and to make an effort to learn about its structure, culture, language, customs, and beliefs to ensure a culturally consistent environment for all children and families.