Jatana Dehaney
Professor G. Glose
Community Organizing and Development

Assignment # 2

Date: September 16, 2014
Location: P.S. 136Q Roy Wilkins School – Back to School Night

The Roy Wilkins School – P.S. 136Q is located in the heart of Saint Albans, Queens. It is an elementary school that houses pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. The Back to School Night meeting is an event held at the school every September, to welcome new and returning students, their parents and the community as a whole. The meeting was three hours long and delved into the many different changes at the school, parent involvement, and teacher interaction.
For the first hour of the meeting parents were allowed to visit their child’s classroom, meet with their teachers, see their child’s school work, and observe the overall learning environment. Teachers gave brief presentations on the expectations of each class, and the curriculum as it pertains to each grade level and their daily procedures. The next hour was spent attending grade level workshops held on topics that were of interest to parents. Workshops were held on topics such as the curriculum, homework, community resources, cultural activities, parent involvement and much more.
There were also mini workshops on what students would learn in reading, writing, phonics, social studies, science and math. Both teachers and parents expressed their desire for children to excel in math and science throughout the school year and their educational career. Extra-curricular activities, educational websites, healthy eating habits, and student behavior were also of high importance at the meeting. For the last hour of the meeting parents met the principal, staff members, attend a PTA meeting, elect PTA members, suggests any ideas they might have to make the school community a great experience for their children and voice any concerns and ask questions they might have. The group dynamics at the meeting was superb and exceptional; the majority of parents at the meeting was very involved and hands on, they were prepared with questions and concerns. One major concern for many parents was ways in which they could be more active and involved in their child’s education. The interaction between parents and teachers and parent and parent was full of admiration; no one spoke out of turn and showed each other the respect that they deserved.
When the meeting commenced, parents had a better understanding of what is expected of not only their children but also themselves. Teachers also knew what parents expected of them and it was clear that there must be clear communication between them in order for their children to succeed. Being active and involved is two of the most important tools a parent can use to help their child succeed. Every year this meeting kicks off the start of an exciting and educational school year and paves the ways for students to succeed at P.S. 136Q.