In this Issue: 

·    Leadership Development Conferences for April and May 2008

·      Parent Liaison Certificate Program, June 5-6, 2008

·      California's Fiscal Crisis Hits Schools

·      The Power of Parent-Teacher Relations

·       Children Who Bully Also Have Problems With Other Relationships

·       Kids' Board Games Help to Build Math Skills

·      Family Reading Night

·      PALMS Outreach Leaders Network

·      National PTA---Resources for Male Involvement in Education

·     What is Botball?

Parent Involvement Training Conferences

In collaboration with the California Department of Education, the California Parent Center continues to provide its award winning two-day Leadership Development Conference that addresses how to build and strengthen School-Family-Community Partnerships. The Conferences are based on Dr. Joyce Epstein’s research-based framework for building strong partnerships to increase student achievement.  The Conference is recommended for participants from all schools, and is especially designed for Program Improvement districts and schools.

UPCOMING CONFERENCE DATES/LOCATIONS

CONFERENCE TOPICS

Sample Conference Topics Include:  (1) Reaching out to under involved parents; (2) Setting up an effective action team to plan partnership activities that meet the NCLB Act parent involvement requirements; (3) Identifying strengths of culturally diverse school communities to build parent leadership; (4) Creating a welcoming school environment; (5) Building successful partnership strategies at elementary, middle and high school levels to increase student achievement; and (6) Finding funds to support partnership and literacy activities. Visit the Center’s web site Conferences and Training Opportunities page for the program description, workshop content, and registration form.

CALIFORNIA'S FISCAL CRISIS HITS SCHOOLS

California, home to 1 in 9 American schoolchildren, is on the brink of what may be the biggest public education crisis in state history. Facing a $16 billion state budget shortfall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed $4.8 billion in school-funding cuts, or 10 percent of education spending.  

In the past week, over 20,000 preliminary pink slips were sent by school districts to teachers and administrators state wide, according to the California Teachers Association. The association estimates another 87,000 (of a total 350,000 public school teachers) could come if Governor Schwarzenegger holds to his budget cut request.

Some say the request is a cry of "wolf" intended to draw public attention and force stalemated politicians to reconsider the cuts – or raise taxes. Others say fiscal reality will push the cuts through as presented.

Meanwhile, school districts and parents are in paroxysms over the thousands of teacher layoffs, the projected loss of librarians, nurses, counselors, and arts personnel; and the need to close schools, increase class sizes, and postpone buying new books.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0321/p02s01-usgn.html

THE POWER OF THE PARENT-TEACHER RELATIONS

Teachers may have certain expectations for individual students, and parents may have another. I expect my students to do their best and meet my high standards, but sometimes their parents don’t care (or so it seems) if their child even turns in a homework assignment. I’ve worked with so many students who had unlimited potential or unique leadership qualities, and when I asked their parents why homework was not turned in, or why their son or daughter would not engage in class, I heard, “Well, he’s headed to the NFL so we just need him to pass,” or “She’s got to come home and help me around the house so there is no time for homework.” I completely understand that many parents are pushed to the limits and are trying their best, but attitudes like this are frustrating for a teacher, especially when a student has potential but appears unmotivated. It would be easy for a teacher to dismiss that student and let them slip through the cracks.

This is a slippery slope. If a teacher doesn’t have a good relationship with her students and their parents, she may be unaware of behind-the-scenes issues that may be causing the lack of motivation. A divorce or sickness in the family, trouble with friends, or fighting at home–these are just some situations that may take a child’s focus away from schoolwork. A teacher needs to work with parents and students to assess certain behavior, not just assume that a student (or parent) does not care. Sometimes all it takes is pulling a student aside after class and showing legitimate concern. Ask if something is wrong, or make an impromptu phone call home and gently outline a classroom situation. Don’t be afraid to request a classroom meeting with the parent(s) and child. A lot of issues come to the light in those intimate closed situations simply because there is a forum for it.
http://www.teachermagazine.org/tm/section/first-person/2008/03/26/mbadu_first_web.h19.html?print=1

CHILDREN WHO BULLY ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH OTHER RELATIONSHIPS

Children who bully were found to have conflict in relationships with their parents and friends, and also to associate with others who bully. Researchers looked at 871 students for seven years, beginning at age 10, and found that most children engage in bullying at some point. The research underscores that bullying is a "relationship problem" that calls for interventions targeting the aggressive behavior, social skills, and problem-solving skills, and also on bullying children's strained relationships.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325083300.htm

KIDS'S BOARD GAMES HELP TO BUILD MATH SKILLS

The findings were reported yesterday in the journal "Child Development." The research was conducted by Robert S. Siegler, CMU professor of cognitive psychology, and Geetha B. Ramani, assistant professor of human development at the University of Maryland, who worked on the study while a postdoctoral research associate at CMU.

Preschoolers from low-income homes made significant advances in counting and other skills after playing a game that required them to move markers along a horizontal path consisting of numbered squares. Researchers dubbed the game "The Great Race.""We created it, but it's very similar to the idea of 'Chutes and Ladders,'" Dr. Siegler said, referring to the classic children's game, in which players move along a path, climbing ladders for good deeds and falling down chutes as punishment for mischief.

The researchers found that participants maintained the achievement gains nine weeks after they stopped playing the game -- an important point given the thorny problem of retention in public education.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08086/867918-298.stm

FAMILY READING NIGHT

New Resource! Family Reading Night offers new ideas, along with all materials needed to help your school create an enjoyable and productive Family Reading night for parents and children. Go to: http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/publications/family-reading-night.htm for ordering information.

PALMS OUTREACH LEADERS NETWORK

The PALMS Outreach Leaders Network is a community of practitioners dedicated to helping Latino students pursue higher education. With support from PALMS staff, members commit to building a college-focused parental outreach program with the PALMS Tools for Latino Family Outreach.l

Network services and activities provide members with collegial and technical support as they move through the different phases of developing their schools' programs. In 2007-2008, middle schools in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, and New York participated in the network. Adaptable to any setting, the tools have helped create programs in these and other communities across the country. You can download a brochure containing details about the network for 2008-2009. http://www.palmsproject.net/tools/network.htm

NATIONAL PTA---RESOURCES FOR MALE INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION

The February-March 2008 issue of National PTA's Our Children magazine featured a special focus on the involvement of men who are important in children's lives. To read articles such as:"Reaching Out to Fathers," "Latino Men Answer the Call to Get Involved," or "the ABCs of Male Involvement", go to http://www.pta.org/pr_magazine_issue_details_1202944159484.html. You will find additional resources for parents as well as membership information for joining national, state and local PTAs.

WHAT IS BOTBALL?