Parents keep strong ties with schools
It has been a bit sad that staff do not see parents in the hallways this year, says Anthony Westenberg, associated director of marketing and communications at The York School in Toronto. “They were always helping in the library, supporting clothing drives, and cheering on the students in their basketball games.”
With schools restricting visitors from entering the school, there’s a whole new dynamic on parental involvement. But even though on-campus parent activities are off the agenda, the spirt of supporting their kids in every way they can hasn’t, he says. “Parents are still gung ho about their students. They still attend curriculum nights and classroom tours, although this year it’s virtual.”
Teachers help keep the connections personal by posting photos of the day’s activities. Assemblies and auditions are also live streamed for parents to see. Among other outreach efforts, the school has launched an Integrated Canadian Experience website, as well as a Grade 10 World History Democracy Project where parents are invited to see their students work.
Despite all the physical distancing challenges, the community of parents remains tight, says Westenberg. A big factor in keeping the momentum going is the York Parents Association (YPA), which has organized socially distanced grade-by-grade walks, virtual AGO tours and book clubs that are aligned with some of the curriculum reads, and a successful ‘spirit wear’ campaign, among other efforts.
While things may have changed, YPA co-presidents Melanie D’alessandro and Trish Mcmahon have put every effort into replicating key events as much as possible.
“For Hallowe’en in the past we would have a costume parade, watch a magic show in the gym, have a coffee social with the parents and connect with the junior school community. During the December, parents came in to do activities like cookie decorating, crafts, trivia and games. Our pancake breakfast always had a fantastic turnout. And parents always helped with activities at the end of year fun day,” says D’angelo.
“Our challenge was how to replicate these experiences for kids,” says Mcmahon. “Movie night, for example, used to be run by parents. It is now a movie afternoon with their teachers and classes in their cohorts. Instead of joining them, parents delivered snacks and stayed off campus. The usual games night was converted into an online trivia night.”
“It was all definitely challenge but we always found a way,” says D’angelo.
This year they have also encouraged outdoor activities to keep parents connected, such as neighbourhood walks and coffee mornings to welcome new parents to the fold. “We also had a variety of virtual speaker events over Zoom that were geared to discussing issues such as parenting in a pandemic. We had wonderful attendance,” says D’angelo. “Everyone is hungry to connect so we’re getting really great turnouts for our events.”
With a large contingent of international boarding students, Trinity College School in Port Hope has perfected the art of connecting with remote parents in some form or another, says headmaster Stuart Grainger. For the rest of the parents that are typically involved on campus, it’s been a big pendulum swing. “For the past year parents were all over their kids’ lives in the same house from April to June. My sense is they’re happy to be disengaged, because their kids are happy to be back with their friends and are more active. But the parents still love to support their children.”
With the technology available today, Grainger says it’s easier than ever to engage parents through social media. “We post pictures and videos every hour, put out messages about life on campus, and stream live events such as games and award presentations so their parents can watch online.”
The one unexpected plus from the separation is that parent engagement has increased, notes Grainger. “We had a parents guild meeting the other day and had double the number of participants because people could join without having to drive to the campus. Parent teacher interviews are significantly higher with Zoom, and attendance of parents at board meets has improved. You could say engagement in the life of the school has actually increased. They have a greater awareness than ever about what is going on at school.”
DESPITE ALL THE PHYSICAL DISTANCING CHALLENGES, THE COMMUNITY OF PARENTS REMAINS TIGHT.
— ANTHONY WESTENBERG ASSOCIATED DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS