They do give a good first impression. We were very impressed

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With home visit week approaching, I wonder how it will be in a larger school as compared to Ashford or Nellis. Amy and I went to the ends of each hollow to find parents or other relatives. Prior to the home visits, we sent a notice to parents informing them of where we would be and when. We asked them to contact us if they didn't want us to come to their home. The last year, we only had one family to ask that we not come. This message came from a mother who was very involved with the school and their children's education. Yes, we made contact with 100% of the families in our school. If we didn't catch them at home, we grabbed them in the parking lot. We were so proud. We could share some stories, funny, strange, wonderful, sad. But we did open a door for many people, and learned so much about our kids. Mary Ann and I also made contact with 100% of our families. It was Mary Ann who taught me to just go on a home visit, without notice or permission. We sometimes sat on the porch but were usually invited into the home,, no matter how good or bad. Throughout the 3 years, we made hundreds of visits and were never, not one time, offered a cold drink!!

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As you mentioned, we are implementing many of the strategies provided and I see a need for adjustments. Our parent surveys need revamped to included many of the suggestions/areas mentioned; the home visits have been to disburse information and now I see that it can (and should) be a key means for gaining insight into the parents' attitudes toward the school/education, family dynamics, and info about the students; and we need to do more to build trust and showing parents their input is vital. Isn't it disappointing when we try to involve parents in decision making, etc. so many will say they'll participate and less than a fifth do? They'll participate in activities (lilke the Safari Open House), but most do not attend (even after personal phone invitations) the "nuts-and-bolts" sessions. This book is helping me to rethink how everything is structured/organized and how to address many of the issues.

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It is nice to include the child in the conference. Parents need to hear something positive about their child and the children need to hear it as well. This also cuts out he said/she said comments. The student can answer and question teacher concerns.

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I have the greatest confidence in the teachers I work with at Whitesville Elementary. I truly believe everyone does their best to provide a safe, caring, and nuturing learning environment for the students. As somenone mentioned earlier, in most of our small communities, the school is about the only place where students and parents can meet from time to time for social activities. In most of the small schools, there is really nothing else there except for the school. I like to think that I, as a teacher, treat my students as I would want my own child treated. When students can feel that teachers genuinely care about them, they will strive to do work harder and do well. As I learned in a speech communications class several years ago, "One can not "not" communicate," or there will be problems.

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I had previously mentioned how many parents try to make themselves available and help out at our school in any way possible. However, we know this is not true for everyone. I found the first key concept discusssed under Core Belief 2 (All Parents Have the Capacity to Support Their Children's Learning) to be most interesting. This is so true of today's parents. The part which which discusses what parents think they're supposed to do to help their children, and also what family and friends say about what is important and acceptable. This is a really big deal to most parents. I truly believe this does tell the tale of whether or not the parent will become actively involved. I believe there are those parents who really have not developed a true and sound understanding of how to become more involved with their child's everyday learning. When parents sense a warm and inviting atmosphere from students and staff within the school, they will become much more motivated to participate in their children's learning.

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If you are comfortable with your computer, this would be a good way to share ideas. Debby H.

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