Currents in Education
Parents as educators: the biggest job we'll ever have
By Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK - From outdoor excursions to family pizza parties with a focus on literacy, the York School Department's "Families Together" program is offering opportunities for parents and children to bring education to a new level.Now in its fourth year, Families Together offers parents the opportunity to participate in a transformational, internationally acclaimed educational program with a focus on reconnecting education with core values, explained York School Department Curriculum Coordinator Dr. Maryann Minard.
The program features "The Ten Priorities," which support literacy development.
"The goal is to empower parents as a child's primary teacher and to help find balance within the family between academic achievement and character development," Families Together organizers explained in an announcement of this year's program and an array of upcoming events.
Village Elementary School Principal Ruth Dealy noted that the model for Families Together has changed from a program aimed largely at students struggling with literacy to be all-encompassing.
"We will be beginning the preschool/kindergarten part of Families Together this Wednesday," she said. Parents and children in preschool/kindergarten are invited to meet with Schindler at Village Elementary School today, Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. The Wednesday Reading Group will be an ongoing event.
And this is just the beginning.
Throughout the current academic year, a lecture and dinner series will be offered to explain each of "The Ten Priorities," Minard noted, including forums on parenting matters, ideas for being a positive role model and practice time to develop and reinforce the skills presented.
Just this week, on Monday, Sept. 18, Families Together offered an introduction where parents and children could spend time learning together as the first of these Monday night. Parents with children in grades K through 4 had the opportunity to gather at Village Elementary School for pizza and learning.
There will be three separate sets of sessions designed specifically for the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Families Together organizers have also announced that, new this year, "is an expansion of one of the principles - mandatory fun."
To accomplish this, Families Together will offer recreational opportunities where families can come together, such as the Sept. 30 Kittery Trading Post Outdoor Academy event on Mount Agamenticus.
The excursion will feature orienteering for families, described as a sort of "treasure hunt" through the woods. Space is limited, so interested families are encouraged to call Village Elementary School at 363-4870 to sign up early. There is no cost for the program.
The outdoor program component will be offered one Saturday morning each month and will include such other activities as paddling, fishing and snowshoeing. The Families Together/Outdoor Academy events are open to all ages and programs continue through early June.
Families Together, coordinated by Beth Knight and Kate Schindler, is a grant-funded program offered at no cost to participants residing within the town of York.
Pre-registration is recommended. For more, call Village Elementary School at 363-4870 or e-mail Beth Knight at bknight@yorkschools.org or Kate Schindler at kschindler@yorkschools.org.
