Parents Want Action - A Guide For Dialogue with Schools, Teachers & Special Ed
By Susan Ibarra
| When: | Wednesday, October 22 from 7:30 – 9:30 PM |
| Where: | Park Middle School, Scotch Plains NJ |
Little Dorothy was sitting down at an ice cream parlor looking forward to her vanilla ice cream sundae. When she gets her sundae however, she starts to bawl! The problem – on the top of her vanilla ice cream sundae she finds whipped cream and nuts and little Dorothy does not like nuts. Had it been specifically stated upon ordering, ‘No nuts’, everything would have been fine and her sundae not sent back instead for a banana split, which also came with a sprinkling of nuts!
Expectations about what we need or want can leave us feeling disappointed, frustrated or angry when our goals are not clearly defined within ourselves as well as to others.
There are many scenarios where this can happen, i.e. parent-teacher conferences or meetings involving case managers, various educators or other school departments whereby we find ourselves reflecting afterwards that what we wanted to say or the way we said it could have been better stated.
Specifically, if your kids are having difficulties, you as a parent may be feeling frustrated about how to help your child or that communication with the school is not effective, that no one understands you, your situation with your child or your child’s needs.
All to often parents may be thinking that no one understands them and are left wondering, “Doesn’t the teacher see that my child is struggling?” Or, “I have little communication from the school about my child. What do I do?” Or, “Homework time is taking hours, what can I do to help my child?” Or, “My child used to get good grades and now they are failing – what is going on?”
Parents Want
Action - So Where Do You Begin?
Effective communication is where and how to start helping your child. Some of the basic rules for effective communication for everyone involved are:
|
• Everyone needs to listen to what is being said by the other • Know what your motives are and what you want to accomplish • Limit your conversation to one specific concern at a time, be careful not to overwhelm your listener • Make specific requests with exactly what you want or expect |
Frequently,
discussions can deteriorate into a form of criticism so be careful not to
put others on the defensive with “why” questions or react to any
frustrations that may develop or that you may have.
Effective
conversations and healthy dialogues with productive results to help your
child can be achieved when everyone involved is available, empathetic and
has an open mind.
On Wednesday, October 22, at 7:30 PM at Park Middle School in Scotch Plains, John Veninger, a 15 year veteran in all levels of education will present, Parents Want Action – A Guide for Dialogue with Schools, Teachers and Special Ed. Mr. Veninger will discuss the many scenarios he has experienced working with parents, advocating for students and other frequently asked questions with constructive ‘How To’ examples that parents can put into action.
The CHILD Organization of Scotch Plains Fanwood and ALL are welcome to attend.
Please RSVP 908.322.4020 to guarantee your seat and materials or if you need professional development hours for CEU’s.
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