A Blueprint for Action: Parents and Families

I: Parents and Families

Preamble: Recognizing that all parents and families must understand their rights and responsibilities, should participate in developing models for involvement in the schools, and should be encouraged to take responsibility for the education of their children, we commit to:

ACTION ITEMS IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES

A. Create a home environment that communicates and builds respect for and interest in learning/education. 1. Develop a daily/weekly routine or schedule that allows:
a. time for family sharing and nurturing;
b. time for reading among family members; and
c. family meetings.

2. Provide suitable space for study:
a. teach study skills and
b. teach organizational skills.

3. Encourage family members to help one another in learning.
a. Read and learn with your children.

4. Monitor children's school work and provide learning enrichment activities, books, tapes, etc.

5. Assign household chores that develop responsibility and cooperation within the home.

6. Monitor and direct television viewing, music, and video playing, including length of time and quality of programs.

7. Bring Black history and culture to life through:

a. family reunions;
b. family history book/photograph albums, vendors, social activities;
c. stories from older family members;
d. family activities such as theaters, libraries, African American museums, outings and vacations;
e. discussions of family values, character, respect, and self-discipline;
f. games that promote critical thinking and problem solving; and
g. collecting books, artifacts and memorabilia.

8. Understand and value a variety of music.

a. Get to know music heard on the radio. Allow children opportunities to share their thoughts on what the words in songs mean. Have children sing their favorite tunes and create songs or lyrics on their own.

9. Introduce Rites of Passage and Leadership skills such as:

a. responsibility;
b. decision-making;
c. goal setting;
d. time management; and
e. community service.

B. Help other parents In understanding their rights and responsibilities; develop models for parent and family involvement.
1. Request school administrators to sponsor activities designed to build a working relationship between home and school which cultivates mutual trust.

2. Arrange for parents to come together to share information on educational concerns and issues that they encounter on a day-to day basis and other activities and ideas that concern all parents.

3. Advocate for workshops to inform parents of policies and practices in a format which clearly outlines and advises parents of their rights and responsibilities and encourages parenting skills and conflict mediation techniques.

4. Organize telephone trees and home visitations which will foster dialogue between parent leaders and parents.

C. Increase school and classroom visitations. 1. Urge appropriate community and parent leaders to provide opportunities such as inservice education, workshops, seminars for parents to learn how to make effective school visits. Be prepared during a school visit to consider the following:
a. textbook and classroom materials;
b. class size;
c. school appearance (physical facilities, cleanliness);
d. curriculum;
e. teacher behavior attitudes, expectations
f expectations for learning and behavior, and
g. classroom management, curriculum and instructional skills, and achievement goals.

D. Form partnerships within the local school community. Build on existing community programs and support networks. 1. Identify all agendas, business organizations, civic and political leaders, religious organizations, which serve the residents of the local school jurisdiction (neighborhood).

2. Identify priorities and commitment to schools through meetings, community forums and parent organizations.

3. Publicly acknowledge existing and new partnerships and key individual volunteers.

4. Participate in the school organization/system by various means:

a. notify parents/community of school board and committee meetings and attend the meetings;
b. seek active participation in principal, teacher, and counselor selection;
c. seek active participation in textbook selection
d. seek active participation in curriculum choices
e. seek active participation in acquisition of funds
f. complete a curriculum audit; and
g. review teacher education programs and teacher certification standards.

E. Develop relationships with school administrators and teachers to Improve the achievement of students.
1. Begin and maintain working relationships with teachers and school administrators via school visits, telephone conversations, and written communications.

2. Respond to any notices from teachers or the school right away.

3. Discuss with principals, teachers, and staff the special needs and behaviors of your children.

F. Lobby to get school districts to provide transportation and other services needed for effective parental Involvement.
1. Request transportation to the school for conferences, meetings, or programs.
2. Encourage the community to use alternative and rotating sites for school meetings.
3. Request that religious institutions offer their facilities to parents after services on Sundays, Sabbaths, and on other days for meetings/training.
4. Select ideas that contribute to both parents' end students' understanding of their cultural heritage.

G. Promote awareness of the severity and intensity of problems related to adolescence, such as self-esteem neglect, peer pressure, teen pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
1. Promote a home environment that is open for discussions about sexuality as well as all important health concerns.

2. Promote a sense of looking out for other children in the neighborhood.

3. Discuss with teenagers problems of teen pregnancy; discuss and seek consensus or select appropriate television programs.

4. Monitor the audio and visual habits of children and youth; avoid inappropriate exposure.

5. Reestablish and participate in community, religious, or school groups focused on sex education and parenting.

a. visit local Planned Parenthood sites;
b. write or call the Children's Defense Fund, the National Black Child Development Institute, and other such organizations, for information;

Children's Defense Fund
122 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 628 8787

National Black Child Development Institute
1463 Rhode Island Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 387-1281

c. create mentor programs with positive role models in the community;
d. create academic skills support programs for students; and
e. develop parent support groups that address these problems.

H. Recognize and understand the problems of drugs, alcohol, smoking, substance use and abuse, and other health concerns.
1. Gather and distribute information about the types of drugs, alcohol, and other substances currently used in different regions of the country.

2. Learn to recognize symptoms and effects of drugs, alcohol, and other substances.

3. Provide strong family support to help children/youth develop personal values and self-confidence by demonstrating appropriate behavior.

4. Promote a home climate that is open and receptive to discussion regarding drug, alcohol, and other substance use and abuse.

I. Develop strategies which will reduce violence, child abuse, the use of drugs, alcohol, etc.
1. Be a model; demonstrate appropriate behavior.

2. Reemphasize values as indicated in Action Item H. 3 above

3. Promote a home climate as indicated in Action Item H. 4 above.

4. Organize support groups that address the problems.

5. Promote participation in awareness programs (e.g., sponsor student and family seminars).

6. Know preventive measures and programs that discourage violence, use of drugs, child abuse, alcohol, etc.

7. Sponsor parenting courses on conflict resolution, violence, substance abuse, and discipline.

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NCEBC: National Council on Educating Black Children
P.O. Box 2293
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Website Copyright © 1999 New Horizons for Learning, all rights reserved.
URL: http://www.newhorizons.org
E-mail: info@newhorizons.org

ACTION ITEMS	IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES
A. Create a home environment that communicates and builds respect for and interest in learning/education.	1. Develop a daily/weekly routine or schedule that allows: a. time for family sharing and nurturing; b. time for reading among family members; and c. family meetings. 2. Provide suitable space for study: a. teach study skills and b. teach organizational skills. 3. Encourage family members to help one another in learning. a. Read and learn with your children. 4. Monitor children's school work and provide learning enrichment activities, books, tapes, etc. 5. Assign household chores that develop responsibility and cooperation within the home. 6. Monitor and direct television viewing, music, and video playing, including length of time and quality of programs. 7. Bring Black history and culture to life through: a. family reunions; b. family history book/photograph albums, vendors, social activities; c. stories from older family members; d. family activities such as theaters, libraries, African American museums, outings and vacations; e. discussions of family values, character, respect, and self-discipline; f. games that promote critical thinking and problem solving; and g. collecting books, artifacts and memorabilia. 8. Understand and value a variety of music. a. Get to know music heard on the radio. Allow children opportunities to share their thoughts on what the words in songs mean. Have children sing their favorite tunes and create songs or lyrics on their own. 9. Introduce Rites of Passage and Leadership skills such as: a. responsibility; b. decision-making; c. goal setting; d. time management; and e. community service.
B. Help other parents In understanding their rights and responsibilities; develop models for parent and family involvement.	1. Request school administrators to sponsor activities designed to build a working relationship between home and school which cultivates mutual trust. 2. Arrange for parents to come together to share information on educational concerns and issues that they encounter on a day-to day basis and other activities and ideas that concern all parents. 3. Advocate for workshops to inform parents of policies and practices in a format which clearly outlines and advises parents of their rights and responsibilities and encourages parenting skills and conflict mediation techniques. 4. Organize telephone trees and home visitations which will foster dialogue between parent leaders and parents.
C. Increase school and classroom visitations.	1. Urge appropriate community and parent leaders to provide opportunities such as inservice education, workshops, seminars for parents to learn how to make effective school visits. Be prepared during a school visit to consider the following: a. textbook and classroom materials; b. class size; c. school appearance (physical facilities, cleanliness); d. curriculum; e. teacher behavior attitudes, expectations f expectations for learning and behavior, and g. classroom management, curriculum and instructional skills, and achievement goals.
D. Form partnerships within the local school community. Build on existing community programs and support networks.	1. Identify all agendas, business organizations, civic and political leaders, religious organizations, which serve the residents of the local school jurisdiction (neighborhood). 2. Identify priorities and commitment to schools through meetings, community forums and parent organizations. 3. Publicly acknowledge existing and new partnerships and key individual volunteers. 4. Participate in the school organization/system by various means: a. notify parents/community of school board and committee meetings and attend the meetings; b. seek active participation in principal, teacher, and counselor selection; c. seek active participation in textbook selection d. seek active participation in curriculum choices e. seek active participation in acquisition of funds f. complete a curriculum audit; and g. review teacher education programs and teacher certification standards.
E. Develop relationships with school administrators and teachers to Improve the achievement of students.	1. Begin and maintain working relationships with teachers and school administrators via school visits, telephone conversations, and written communications. 2. Respond to any notices from teachers or the school right away. 3. Discuss with principals, teachers, and staff the special needs and behaviors of your children.
F. Lobby to get school districts to provide transportation and other services needed for effective parental Involvement.	1. Request transportation to the school for conferences, meetings, or programs. 2. Encourage the community to use alternative and rotating sites for school meetings. 3. Request that religious institutions offer their facilities to parents after services on Sundays, Sabbaths, and on other days for meetings/training. 4. Select ideas that contribute to both parents' end students' understanding of their cultural heritage.
G. Promote awareness of the severity and intensity of problems related to adolescence, such as self-esteem neglect, peer pressure, teen pregnancy, birth, and parenting.	1. Promote a home environment that is open for discussions about sexuality as well as all important health concerns. 2. Promote a sense of looking out for other children in the neighborhood. 3. Discuss with teenagers problems of teen pregnancy; discuss and seek consensus or select appropriate television programs. 4. Monitor the audio and visual habits of children and youth; avoid inappropriate exposure. 5. Reestablish and participate in community, religious, or school groups focused on sex education and parenting. a. visit local Planned Parenthood sites; b. write or call the Children's Defense Fund, the National Black Child Development Institute, and other such organizations, for information; Children's Defense Fund 122 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 628 8787 National Black Child Development Institute 1463 Rhode Island Ave, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 387-1281 c. create mentor programs with positive role models in the community; d. create academic skills support programs for students; and e. develop parent support groups that address these problems.
H. Recognize and understand the problems of drugs, alcohol, smoking, substance use and abuse, and other health concerns.	1. Gather and distribute information about the types of drugs, alcohol, and other substances currently used in different regions of the country. 2. Learn to recognize symptoms and effects of drugs, alcohol, and other substances. 3. Provide strong family support to help children/youth develop personal values and self-confidence by demonstrating appropriate behavior. 4. Promote a home climate that is open and receptive to discussion regarding drug, alcohol, and other substance use and abuse.
I. Develop strategies which will reduce violence, child abuse, the use of drugs, alcohol, etc.	1. Be a model; demonstrate appropriate behavior. 2. Reemphasize values as indicated in Action Item H. 3 above 3. Promote a home climate as indicated in Action Item H. 4 above. 4. Organize support groups that address the problems. 5. Promote participation in awareness programs (e.g., sponsor student and family seminars). 6. Know preventive measures and programs that discourage violence, use of drugs, child abuse, alcohol, etc. 7. Sponsor parenting courses on conflict resolution, violence, substance abuse, and discipline.