The challenges of growing involvement in especially diverse schools is too important a topic for me to delete the whole thing. Let's stick to the parent group topic at hand.

Thanks,

Tim

I find myself agreeing with Shawn once again. But on the other hand, the children is not at fault and thats what we are in it for right?


We are extremely non-diverse. So I can't relate to your problem there although we are a low income district. You can bring people together, I have confidence in you.

It would probably be better if you could get a Latino parent to help with translantions, I think that would be less intimidating than getting someone from the local college or whatever. Also you could have themes that focus on different groups culture and you would need help from one of those parents right? That way you would learn something about someone else's culture and they may be more excited about being involved.

I know one of the schools does a 'Day of the Dead celebration (Art work- Arts, Poems- English and Lit, Dances- art, Food- Arts, Englsih, math, culture, citizenship), or incorporate garden projects ( or campus beautification proj) with a cultural event )foods, harvest, writing, math, socail studies), a family game nite (traditional games ie. Apple 2 Apples, Cranium, Math Card games) with cultural games, Craft nite (oriental trading company crafts) with somekind of cultural craft (ie Claymaking -dreidel, Waxworks - Hindu prayer candle) might be bad example 'cuz of religious beliefs but I know some of these have been okayed in some schools.
Babelfish has some translating materials available.. local Clerics, Pastors for other languages..

[ 08-10-2006, 02:09 AM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Any advice as to how to break through that cultural barier? We have about 1/3 Hispanic and 1/3 Philipino. The rest is a mixture of Caucasian, African American, Asian.

We're also a very small school now. Probably around 250 students in K-5. Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

This is just going to take some time and networking with the other parents and asking that very question in what could be a valuble survey.

Our charter school is located in a town with more trailer homes per square mile than built homes. Income level is just not there either.

The fun part is your school is small enough that a gathering/open house/pot luck/party with music and door prizes and invite everyone. Opening the doors culd be just the begining!


Shawn....what are going to do with you

I too live in a community where the population of Latino families is high. We have found that there is more of a cultural barrier(difference) than a language barrier. In Mexico families are not too involved with their children's education, they leave it up to the teachers....they do not understand why here they need to be involved.....also, you must understand that many of the ESL population can not read or write in Spanish how can they possibly learn English without mastering Spanish. Many of these families coming from very poor parts of Mexico coming here to do labor work that Americans will not do....

I would encourage that you join forces with your local community agencies that are helping these families learn English and learn job skills....They are the experts on how to "get in touch" with this part of the community

We have a high % of ESL families. We do all of our meetings bi-lingually. I guess you would have to do a tri-lingual translation. Our meetings are always well attended. We have found that when we need help for events for example, we ask for specific help and are never disappointed. Instead of saying, we need volunteers for the XZY event, we say, "Who can come from 4:30-6:00 and sell popcorn? "Who can come at 3:30 and help setup for 1/2 hour? etc. You have to impress on people that if there is a diverse population in the school, EVERYONE needs to be involved, so that everyone feels comfortable and a part of the school. We also have a high % of Econ. Disadvantaged households. Our membership is $5.00 and not required for participation. We try do a wrapping paper fundraiser, two holiday See's fundraisers, Escrip, Target, Box Tops. We try not to have our events to make money, so most things are either free or the cost is just to cover our expenses. This encourages participation. Good luck - we love the diversity in our school as well as the community we are building.