Leadership for Innovative Omani Schools in the 21st Century

Involving Parents and Communities

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Parent – School Connection

In many schools, parents are considered to be the “third leg of the table” for making a school effective.

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Reflective Questions???1. Is parental involvement valued by teachers and

leaders in your school?

2. What role would parents say they have?

3. Do parents exercise any influence over the curriculum, activities, or budget of your school?

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Communicating with Parents

Communicating with parents means:

The communication between school and home is regular, two-way, and meaningful.

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Reflective Questions???1. Is it a goal of the school leaders to establish

communication with every family?

2. How do important messages get delivered to and from families of the students?

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Communicating with Parents

Communication Tips• Solve problems early• Make an appointment• Get to know each other informally• Start fresh with every encounter• Share information freely• Express appreciation• Share the same goal (care for the student)

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Start with the statement of the

concern(s).

Communicating with Parents

Conflict Resolution

1. Start with the statement of the concern(s).1. Start with the statement of the concern(s).

3. Describe the steps taken so far.3. Describe the steps taken so far.

2. Describe what led up to the meeting.2. Describe what led up to the meeting.

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Start with the statement of the

concern(s).

Communicating with Parents

Conflict Resolution

4. Describe each person’s role in the meeting.4. Describe each person’s role in the meeting.

6. Plan for follow-up and feedback.6. Plan for follow-up and feedback.

5. Express confidence of resolution.5. Express confidence of resolution.

7. Keep the pace calm and slow.7. Keep the pace calm and slow.

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Parenting Assistance

Parenting assistance means:

Skills of effective parenting are promoted and supported.

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Reflective Questions???1. What resources is the school providing to help

parents increase their skills?

2. Is the culture of the community looking for ways to learn how to be better parents?

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Help parents understand their children

Parenting Assistance

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Recognize children have different talents

Parenting Assistance

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Help families cope with grief or loss

Parenting Assistance

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Improve student attendance at school

Parenting Assistance

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Parents play an important part in assisting student learning.

Parenting Assistance

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Reflective Questions???1. Do parents see themselves as partners in educating

their children?

2. Do parents help provide needed resources and/or assistance in supplementing the work of the school?

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Research shows that informed parents:

• Understand why topics are covered

• Increase academic conversation at home

Therefore:

• Students have a better attitude

• Students develop self-confidence

Parenting Assistance

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Volunteering: Are parents welcome in the school?

Parenting Involvement

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Reflective Questions???1. Are there meaningful and significant roles for

parents to play in educating students?

2. Could parents enhance the education of the students?

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Focusing on Parent Volunteers:

• Brings multiple skills to the classroom

• Helps students value parental expertise and hard work

• Allows parents to see the hard work of teaching

• Fosters two-way communication

Parenting Involvement

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Reflective Questions

When you think of decision making, “How do parents influence the quality and direction of your school?”

1. Is the “voice” of the parental community a wise and helpful one?

2. Do parents understand the philosophy of education at your school?

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Involving parents is a wise decision because involved parents:

•Get a chance to learn more about the school

•Develop a sense of partnership with the school

•Bring parental skills to help school needs

•Become aware of the school direction

Parenting Involvement

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Collaborating with Other Resources

Collaboration: “Does the school have an active link with other community resources to add value to the education and/or keep students safe?”

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Reflective Questions???1. What mutually beneficial agencies or resources

are in your community?

2. What are the biggest concerns or fears about how students spend their time outside of school?

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Collaborating wisely means:

• Learning from the community

• Teaching the community

• Serving as a “public intellectual”

• Accessing resources to help students

• Connecting with potential funding sources

Collaborating with Other Resources

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Parental Involvement

It is the relationships of the adults surrounding a student that, more than any

factor, determine academic success…

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