Parent education plan adopted

What Chugach parents need to know, and how:
The Parent Education Committee Plan for 2010-11

Our committee formed with the goal of educating parents about the Chugach educational philosophy. We believe that our school works best when everyone in the school community understands and supports the ideas and methods that make Chugach unique.

The committee met three times to choose themes to address. The basis of parent education comes from the adopted school philosophy and practices described in the school handbook, but we had to choose themes to be emphasized this year, and approaches for communicating those themes. Here are the seven themes we selected:

• Commitment to the Chugach philosophy. Everyone in our community should accept the basic concept and goals of Chugach, including the need for commitment itself. In other words, the benefits of Chugach do not come passively—parents need to be positively on board.
• Instructional methods. Children learn differently at Chugach compared to the schooling experienced by most parents. Details of our classroom techniques may be unfamiliar. We should explain their basis in research and experience, and the connection to our philosophy, as well as asking parents into the classroom to join the teacher.
• Parent participation. Chugach works because parents are involved as a supporting community with teachers and students. We need strong parent volunteerism, and the presence and engagement of parents throughout the day.
• Creating in-charge learners through choice and inquiry. Chugach is child-focused. Our goal is to teach responsibility for learning by putting responsibility in the hands of those learning. This kind of intellectual and emotional development takes precedence over delivery of content.
• Monitoring your child’s progress. Parents must learn to assess student achievement through their work. Instead of grades, we use portfolios, self-evaluation, hallway displays, performances, classroom observation, and informal contact with teachers.
• Trusting that Chugach will work. Chugach works, but that can be hard to believe for parents anxious about a child missing content. More than 30 years of experience shows that Chugach kids excel in the end, even if their paces differ in getting there.
• Chugach and the family. At Chugach the school day connects with the rest of the family’s day, both for students and parents. Students may do better at Chugach who experience the same kind of educational philosophy at home and at school.

The committee plans to communicate these themes through a variety of learning approaches. We set down broad ideas and chose leaders for each one. Those attending our meetings were Charles Wohlforth, Martha Robinson, Anne Salzer, Brad and Angie Harris, Marty Freeman, Susan Joling, Pam Rowell, Alan Bailey, Amy Lundell, Sheila Griffith, Kimmer Ball, and Sharon Brooks. Several other parents were in touch by email.

Here are the concepts we are working on and leaders for each:
• School tours and selection. Careful design of how we present Chugach to prospective parents to make sure they understand our program and philosophy. Leader to be determined.
• Bulletin boards and graffiti wall. Bulletin boards will explain and show clear examples of Chugach concepts. Graffiti walls are for students or parents to give feedback or their own examples and ideas. Leaders: Anne, Sheila, Pam.
• Scoop articles and blog. The front of the Scoop will contain essays by students, parents and staff on our themes. These will be saved on a new blog, linked to the Chugach website, where readers can respond in a moderated setting. Leaders: Charles, Brad, Marty.
• Evening events. A series of talks or discussions, possibly like the “Main Event” held at the Community Assembly in the past. Topics could include: new parent orientation, alumni night with former Chugach students, and explanation of methods by teachers. Leaders: Amy, Sheila, Martha, Marty.
• Making parent education on-going. Create a Parent Education and Outreach Coordinator as an officer of the Executive Board (possibly in place of the member at large) to bring together a program of parent orientation and education each year.

Our committee has been productive and has set out on a big program of activity. We welcome and strongly encourage more help. Leaders of individual subcommittees will need help on their projects, and the entire committee is open to anyone who attends or submits written comments.