"Parent Club: Books for Children"

THE CHALLENGE: Ms. Castelo's mission was to strengthen the teacher/parent/child relationship among twenty first grade English language learner students and their families. Her main goal was to create a setting for discussion groups, along with guest speakers and reading recovery teachers, which would allow participants the opportunity for, and the development of, a positive reading and learning experience. Ms. Castelo's second goal was to increase the amount of books her students had at home. All of her students were eligible to receive free lunches.

SOLUTION: Parents are the first teachers in a child's life. By working together as a team, teachers and parents are able to focus on areas of concern in helping their child achieve constructive results. This project brought the teacher/parent/child team together monthly for a well-organized evening meeting. Topics included Homework Study Skills, Improving Literacy through Traditions and Customs, and Family Trees. Discussions of students' needs were shared among families while enjoying potluck meals. Students were also awarded with books for family attendance to these meetings. The book awards were intended to encourage students to begin their own private libraries. The importance of establishing private home libraries was further reinforced when parents and students collaborated to create their own family book.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Student reading scores were positively impacted. Parents, too, were motivated. They joined the school governance team and gave many volunteer hours to fundraising activities that promote literacy. Additionally, the project received an award from San Diego City Schools as one of the best parent involvement projects in the community. The project model was also shared at a technology fair given by the San Diego State Technology Office at Balboa Elementary.