Committee Forms to Foster Connections Between School and Family

The Family-School Partnership Committee was recently formed with the goal of finding ways to increase parent involvement in their children's education.

Janice Chrzescijanek, chair of the Family-School Partnership Committee, said the committee is actively working to increase family participation and programs for Bethel public school students and their families.

“The first program the group is developing is a parent-to-parent mentor program at each school. It will be followed by a student-to-student mentor program, and a parent University/education program,” Chrzescijanek said. “We are currently running a parent survey and plan to have brainstorming sessions in the Fall with parents, to identify other programs and initiatives for the committee to develop.”

Family-School Partnership Committee's survey of Bethel Parents can be taken by visiting: www.surveymonkey.com/s/FamilySchoolPartnerships Those interested in completing the survey must do so by June 14, the last day of school.

“Research has shown that both students and schools benefit from active participation by families in the process of educating children,” she said. 

“The importance of being involved with your child's school cannot be overrated,” Chrzescijanek said, and added that the benefits of increased parental involvement include, higher grades and test scores, fewer placements in special education classes, higher graduation rates, and greater enrollment in college.

The Family-School Partnership Committee formed, said Chrzescijanek, after “the Board of Education Chairman, Larry Craybas, saw an opportunity to improve our schools by starting a committee focused on developing programs and initiatives around family-school partnerships.”

Craybas said the biggest challenge “to fostering broader partnerships and including many more moms and dads will be the busy lives we all lead. Meetings and conference times in school will have to adjust to the availability of parents.” Craybas added the importance of the family and school connection “must be understood and accepted.”

Craybas also said it was important that parents of students understand that education does not begin and end at school.

“We only have students for six and a half hours per day. The new rigor in curriculum standards adopted by the state fills these school hours with a lot more learning to be accomplished,” he said. 

“Children are expected to master what they are being taught before moving to the next level. If our kids are to leave Bethel Public Schools ready to meet life's challenges and to be able to compete with anyone, anywhere, at any time, parents must take on more responsibility at home, and play a more direct role in enhancing the education of their children.”

The committee meets bi-weekly and reports to the Board of Education periodically on progress made. The committee is currently looking for volunteers from each Bethel school for the parent-to-parent mentor program. Volunteers would mentor new parents at their school and provide support, guidance and assistance to the new parent.

If you're interested in learning about the Family-School Partnership Committee, they can be reached via email at bfspcommittee@gmail.com and found on Facebook by searching “Bethel Family-School Partnerships.”