Pleasant Parent Academy: Linking home to school

In November 2018, House Bill 318 was signed into effect. Ohio's Strategic Plan for education, Each Child, Our Future, explicitly recognizes the need for a positive climate in every school to support student well-being (2017). Each Child, Our Future is Ohio's shared plan for ensuring that each student is challenged, prepared and empowered for his or her future. This bill strengthens requirements for school districts to implement PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports). Pleasant Elementary implemented PBIS in 2015. This was brought about to promote positive behavior through encouragement and reinforcing high expectations. In this effective learning community we consistently practice respect, responsibility, safety and positive attitudes. We've now named this Pleasant Pride and our pride is evident in our positive school climate. School climate is affected by five primary determinants: Organization, staff, students, families and community. I would like to introduce our Pleasant Pride focus, the Parent Academy which began this current school year. We began this program knowing that our families and community play such an important role in the success of our children. Raising our next generation is a shared responsibility. When families, communities, and schools work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits. The mission of the Parent Academy is to enrich the lives of children by bridging the gap between home, school and community. Our goals are to: Educate parents and caregivers to access free resources and skills to effectively support their children's education; engage parents and caregivers to become full partners in their children's education; empower parents and caregivers to pursue lifelong learning goals for themselves and their children; and encourage parents and caregivers to sustain their children's growth and well-being. Our free Parent Academy sessions will increase parents' knowledge and skills, while helping them network with other community members. This empowers families to be advocates in their children's education and well-being. In our first Parent Academy session, Dr. Julie Roberts, a local dentist, provided parents with great insight on the amount of sugar in the foods and drinks we consume and what we can do to keep our teeth and our children's teeth healthy. Stacey Strecker, of the Norwalk parks and recreation department, shared information about the excellent facilities and programs available to families. In each session, we provide a family meal, child care with the help of our Norwalk City Schools Teen Leadership Corps, and free books for parents and students to take home. We also raffle off prizes with the help of local businesses. Here's a preview of our upcoming topics: "How to help your child be successful at school," "Pleasant unplugged" (social media and screen time), "building positive behaviors" and "managing anxiety and instilling a positive mindset." &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp; Ongoing research shows that family engagement in schools improves student achievement, reduces absenteeism and restores parents' confidence in their children's education. Students with involved parents or caregivers earn higher grades and test scores, have better social skills and show improved behavior. "Parenting is a challenge, not a competition. Helping each other out is what we do," said author Elle C. Mayberry. We welcome and encourage your ideas; after all, you are a part of our community and play an important role in our next generation's success. For more information about the Pleasant Parent Academy or to become a part of our program, call V. Janice Smith at 419-668-4134 or email smithj@norwalktruckers.net. Local columnist V. Janice Smith is the Pleasant Elementary principal.