Q&A: Helping Parents Help Schools
Soon after her children started going to Van Bokkelen Elementary in Severn, Md., Rhonda Ulmer learned that the school might be taken over by the state because of poor academic performance. In 2004, when Ulmer was PTA president, she formed the Van Bokkelen Family Network to connect parents with resources to help stabilize their families, such as food assistance and GED classes. In the next few years, students’ test scores and parent involvement at Van Bokkelen improved and the school was taken off the takeover list.
Ulmer expanded on the idea of the Family Network by starting a nonprofit organization called the University for Parents, which provides educational resources and parenting classes (throughout) Maryland. She offers ideas on how parent groups can help families at home, and ultimately, help them get more connected to school.
What was your involvement strategy at Van Bokkelen?
First, I sent out a survey to families to determine what challenges parents were facing. Some of the barriers to involvement I discovered were everyday hardships such as housing, food, utility bills, and unstable family situations, and the fact that some parents had not pursued a higher education due to working demands to provide for their families.
Our PTA partnered with the local YWCA, set up GED classes for parents, and arranged childcare and bus
transportation.… We also started a partnership with the Maryland Food Bank, which helped launch Van Bokkelen's School Pantry Program. We provided family food baskets to parents who volunteered at the school.
What tips would you suggest to PTO and PTA leaders to help parents become more connected at school?
Survey your parents to determine what programs are needed to help parents and families be successful.
Host a PTO/PTA program or event at a local library, faith-based organization, or community center.
Don’t forget about the needs of working and single parents. Maybe you can offer programs that include the entire family—online, in the evenings, or on the weekends.
Partner with the school and local organizations, and offer meeting times that coincide with other community events. This eliminates parents having to make repeated trips to the school during the course of a week.
Be culturally aware of the diversity in your school community. Be ready to provide programs that meet the needs of all parents and families.
—Patty Catalano
