Focus on Education Two case studies in parental involvement
For several weeks William S. Reyes Elementary school sent letters to parents, pleaded at PTA meetings, and made personal calls requesting help to clean up and beautify the school buildings and grounds. No money was requested. The school simply wanted the parents to come on Saturday morning and shoulder to shoulder together including teachers beautify the school. The children were invited to come and help.
No carpentry, no plumbing, no roof work, no electrical work–only paint and clean the grounds. Some food and drinks had been solicited; some had been purchased by the teachers to feed everyone at lunch time. This was planned as a show of community spirit and a demonstration of school pride to the children.
Saturday morning was clear and warm. The paint buckets and brushes stood ready. Next to them rakes and plastic bags for the grass and garbage. About 9 a.m. a few cars drove up. Several parents arrived to help. Soon a few parents dropped of their children and abruptly departed excusing themselves saying they were too busy.
By 9:30 a total of six parents and about ten children along with several teachers and the principal started to work. At noon they stopped and enjoyed a light barbecue lunch and left for home.
WSR Elementary School has an enrollment of 827 students from Kindergarten through 6th grade. This equates to about 1,400 parents. A total of 6 parents out of 1400 showed up to show pride and support for the school that educates their children! Wow.
The community screams that PSS is not educating their children properly. Money is scarce so school buildings continue to deteriorate. So what is the solution?
You parents must stop saying that you understand the value of education and begin to actively participate in it. Until you do the educational level of your children will remain what it is despite all the efforts of teachers and al the money you throw at it. Please wake up!
The Vic Pangelinan Story
When Valrick Welch, a teacher, on his first report card day in Saipan handed out most C’s and D’s for physical education on his students’ report cards, he had many irate parents. But let Valrick tell the story: “Those grades took several students off the honor roll and the parents blamed me. The Pangelinan’s were also upset, but they were upset with their daughter, not me. The next quarter their daughter went from a D to a B. They family began to appreciate the importance of physical education and enrolled their three daughters in my summer swimming program.”
“Last year one of their daughters, Xenavee, was voted the CNMI Athlete of the Year for the 2nd year in a row. Xenavee graduated from San Vicente with the principal’s award. She continues to be an A student at MHS, yet she often swims two hours in the morning and two hours after school and two hours on Saturdays.
“What is the difference between success and failure in school? For Xenavee it is a goal oriented attitude and supportive parents. Who do you think drives her to swimming practice at 5:00 a.m. and then again at 4:00 p.m. and makes sure she has everything she needs for school, and supports her in the many different activities she is involved with, as well as making the monetary sacrifices for her travel expenses? She is self-motivated and her motivation is supported by her parents.”
Parental involvement is the key to a successful student.
Strictly a personal view. Mr. Pellegrino is a businessman and a member of the Board of Education.
