Stephanie Brothers loves listening to her son talk about his day after school.
A mom of a Greenfield Intermediate School fifth grader, Brothers says she learns how to value his teachers and the GIS community just by tuning in.
“From his conversation, I know that he has teachers and staff that not only show up, but they see him,” Brothers said.
That’s why she shows up too.
Greenfield-Central schools are making a concerted effort this year to connect with parents even more than before.
As leader of the new Parents Active With Students (PAWS) group at GIS, Brothers is one of many Greenfield parents who are showing up at after-school events, fundraisers, classrooms– and even baking cookies in appreciation of teachers as a way to connect with the G-C community.
From family events for preschoolers to parental support for teens, G-C administrators are calling on families to share in the whole educational experience of their child.
“It is one of our four corporation goals for the 2024-25 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin. “We want our G-C parents to know what is happening in our schools, and we want them active in the school experience. We have been particularly deliberate about this priority in our three middle schools: Greenfield Intermediate School, Maxwell Intermediate School and Greenfield Central Junior High.”
For Brothers, that means leading a small but eager group of parents by brainstorming how to thank teachers for the hard work that they do, and how to walk beside teachers and administrators.
Parents are invited to be fully involved with their children’s education at G-C schools, and several are stepping up to volunteer their time or their resources.
PAWS is new this year, but similar to a group GIS had years ago before COVID altered life and community connections.
Brothers said since moving to Greenfield in 2018, she has loved the heart the community has for its neighbors. That rings true especially in the schools. But there was a piece missing– an organized chance for parents to get involved.
“Last year I saw them show up through the hardest time, for our kids no matter what was happening to them. I saw teachers and staff with tears in their eyes, still moving forward, still showing our kids what it means to be present, to be committed, to be encouraging,” Brothers said. “They showed up every day to take on our kids, to educate our kids, to enhance our kids, to be there for our kids, to make sure our kids were going to do better today, so their tomorrow would be even better. That is why I show up to GIS.”
So far the group has helped with a literacy night at GIS, a cake fundraiser for fourth graders, and even a brunch buffet to thank teachers before fall break.
New family events are on the horizon in the near future. An All Pro Dads group will also start up, so any father figure – including women– can connect with children through conversation at early-morning breakfasts at the school.
Principal Bronson Curtis said he’s grateful for the parents who are coming in to help. He hopes PAWS can help the staff at GIS provide families with activities that are meaningful and help build excitement about school.
The fourth- through sixth-grade years are when students start to struggle with the social aspect of education. Bronson hopes parents will help remove that barrier.
“Family life is very busy. Parents work and they do their best to help provide their students with positive experiences that help them develop and grow,” he said. “As a school, if we can have more frequent and open conversations about ways we can support students at home and school, and develop various avenues of involvement that are conducive to family life, the community will feel more connected.”
GIS is also hosting a book discussion on “The Anxious Generation.” In September, the school welcomed parents in to learn about Trust Based Relational Interventions (TBRI), an approach for self-regulation skills in children.
PAWS at GIS is just one example of parent involvement at G-C schools. Schools across all age levels are welcoming parents in.
Cougar Cubs Preschool’s new Parent Family Association, for example, is hosting a princess and superhero breakfast event Oct. 26 for anybody in the community to enjoy. High school students will dress as characters and pose for pictures and autographs with families. Proceeds benefit the parent organization for more events in the future, as well as the high school’s FCCLA program, which is preparing the food for the event.
The effort to tie parents more directly into the schools is intentional. Robin LeClaire, director of student services for G-C, says students show higher academic achievement, school engagement and motivation when parents are involved. The facts are based on an American Psychological Association review of 448 independent studies– but LeClaire sees it daily herself.
“I’ve been a practitioner in schools for three decades. Things have changed with technology, school accountability, social emotional needs of students and standards and curriculum. But what has never changed is that involvement of the parents and families makes kids successful in all areas,” she said. “That bridge for communication and expectation opens up and everyone feels more comfortable, the school is able to function and the student feels supported by all the important trusted adults in his or her life.”
LeClaire says when parents are in the school, they see staff and how much they care about kids and how hard they work. So when issues arise, they call the teacher and work out the problem collaboratively.
“Teachers see parents and how much they care about their kids and it softens their approach as well when working with parents,” she said. “These groups foster collaboration and teamwork, and take people out of their silos and put them together working toward one goal.”
At GIS, Brothers says the PAWS group was started to bridge the gaps. It’s creating a place where parents can be involved, volunteer, encourage, coach and mentor. The first meetings have been great so far, she said, and she would love to have even more parents join in.
“We are here to create community bonds as our children go through 13 yrs of schooling together making memories,” Brother said. “This time– while we are in it– can feel like forever, but it really does not last long enough. Then when they leave, we are not left behind as we have built a community, and they have a community to return to.”
For more on PAWS, email [email protected]. Parents who would like to get involved in parent/teacher groups in other G-C schools are encouraged to reach out to their teacher or principal.
By Maribeth Vaughn
For more on PAWS, email [email protected]. Parents who would like to get involved in parent/teacher groups in other G-C schools are encouraged to reach out to their teacher or principal.