Reaching Out to Parents in a Way that Works

A New Idea for Involving Parents in Student SuccessDiane Bradley-Lewis, South High School, Minneapolis

Reaching Out to Parents in a Way that Works

South High School Community Conferences

A Need Presents Itself…

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My 10th gr Open Students

Their attendance at

school conferences

Black Latino Asian Native American White

Moving the Conferences into the Community

Student led portfolio presentation

“show what you

know”

Showcasing Student Work

o Families are able to see what their students are learning

o Students identify standards and articulate progress towards mastery

Food and Conversation

Creating opportunities for staff to get to know the parents in a more relaxed and neutral environment

Networking for parents

Fellowship with your neighbors

Conversations about how to better serve “our” students’ needs

Celebrating our Students’ Success

The Results…

Parent and Staff Solutions

o Planners provided for all 10th graderso Tech support from media specialists for

familieso Interdisciplinary team involvemento Counseling office coordinating with 10th

grade teamo Somali translator, Spanish translator to be

provided by school

PARTNERS IN CLOSING THE GAP

A project of the Human Rights Center at the University of Minnesota

Partners in Closing the Gap

o Project aims to close the Achievement Gap in metro area schools (grades 6-12)

o Teachers pair with Community Volunteer to address Human Rights and Racial Healing in the Classroom

o Students design and implement Community Action Projects to expand classroom learning (grants up to $1000)

o More than 1,700 students reached in the classroom in 2010-11 school year

o Project continues for 2011-12 school year

PARTNERS IN CLOSING THE GAPA project of the Human Rights Center at the University of

Minnesota

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI5o1fa7zvw