Parents from various schools within the Jurupa Unified School District and community members settle into class, seated in chairs arranged in a circle to promote open communication and participation. Some know each other and their teacher, and others are attending for the first time. They are participating in a district-wide program, Parent University.
“Parent University is a six-week series of classes for our families and our community that focuses on different parenting strategies.” Teacher on Special Assignment Courtney Siegel said.
Community School Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) are facilitating the Parent University classes at Glen Avon, Mission Bell, and the Parent Involvement and Community Outreach (P.I.C.O.) department.
Elementary courses offer various strategies, including setting boundaries, establishing rules at home, creating schedules, and engaging as an active participant in the school community. Additional courses offer college information to secondary students and their families.
“Family engagement is so important because when we’re including families in the academic process and in the teaching process… and giving them strategies to work with their children at home, it bridges the gap between home and school, and that’s one of our focuses as community schools,” Ms. Siegel said.
Jose Campos, Director of P.I.C.O., emphasized the impact that parents and families can have on their child’s education by getting involved and partnering with P.I.C.O.
“Parent University is a huge focus of our department. Research shows that students that are more engaged do better academically and socially… when parents are more involved. Children, their children, our children, do better academically and socially.” Mr. Campos said.
Dr. Shayna Golbaf, Coordinator of Pupil Services and Community Schools, shared how valuable the Parent University course can be.
“It’s beyond just getting parents to show up to our kindergarten performances; it's also getting them to feel as though they are the teachers. At home, they are their (students’) first teachers, but also at school, how can they engage? What does it look like to volunteer and be that positive mentor here on campus?” Dr. Golbaf said.
One of the lessons includes parents serving as co-facilitators and volunteers. Teachers share information about how parents and community members can get cleared to become volunteers, be a part of a parent panel, or join partner programs such as Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) and Helping Hands, a parent volunteer opportunity.
“One of the visions that I love about Jurupa is, although we have 18 community schools... we have 26 schools in our district, we’re all one community; and that's a big part of our district’s vision of providing these opportunities for all of our families.” Dr. Golbaf said.
This course is made possible by a Community Schools Grant provided by the state of California. Parents Maria Avila and Irene Ortega are among the first cohort of Parent University students at Glen Avon Elementary School.
“I just want to learn more. If there’s anything that I can help my daughter with, then I’m here to learn it,” Ms. Avila said.
“Showing the example of getting involved in the community and being part of something shows them (the children) to also grow up as strong individuals and do the same,” Ms. Ortega said.
A separate Parent University class was hosted by P.I.C.O. in the Jurupa Unified Board Room, focusing on the college admissions process.
Each session was led by collegiate partners such as the Riverside Community College, University of California, Riverside, Cal State San Bernardino, and the University of Redlands.
“My main focus will be guiding them towards meeting admissions requirements for first-year admissions, but I’m also going to touch on those transfer requirements in case they want to take a different route,” said Maria Flores, Senior Evaluation and Athletic Specialist at the University of California, Riverside.
Fernando Martinez, father of a Patriot High School junior, attended this class because he wants to ensure his son has the resources needed to attend college.
“The school district is trying to help the community. I think that’s what it's all about,” Mr. Martinez said.
