By: David Cohen
So many families have found the comfort to send their children to preschool this year, and have been lucky to find a spot in a great school. But, things were not exactly the same as before. For parents, the biggest change has been the inability to go into the school, since protocols have limited adults in the building. This takes trust and communication. On behalf of schools throughout the area, we thank you! By now, you are probably very comfortable in your child’s education and wellbeing. What is the last frontier? Parent involvement. Here’s how you can stay engaged (note: I am recapping the many great things that parents in my school are doing).
Convert traditional events to virtual, when possible
Can’t have a live book fair? Organize one online. Ours raised funds on the same scale as previous book fairs, without all of the physical labor. Musical events and holiday celebrations? The technology is there and the togetherness feels very real. In some ways, the online format has included more parents who would otherwise be unavailable.
Maintain quality two-way communication with teachers
When your school shares information with you, be sure that you are giving feedback and acknowledgement. In the good old days, parents would come in and teachers could see their awe, admiring children’s artwork and discussing each child’s accomplishments. When you receive newsletters, samples of work or posts on an app, enjoy every moment. Then, follow up with a quick note, a “like” on a post, or some type of creative response. It can be isolating for teachers, not having regular interactions. Let them know that you’re there. Shout-out to our Parent Association that organized weekly breakfast for the teachers!
Share information about your child
Don’t wait for conferences to speak up about a concern or a new accomplishment. The more teachers know, the better they can challenge and support your child. This year has all different stressors than usual.
Have fun and get to know everyone
Preschool is not just for children. Part of the experience is building your community of parents. Your classmates are likely families that will grow with you over the years. Plan a virtual play date or a social hour for the classroom parents. Hold a virtual fundraiser for your school. There are so many ways to stay connected, while staying safe.
As always, if you are having challenges with these suggestions, reach out to your school’s director. We can be pretty creative with solutions.
