| Experienced educators know that often the best way to help a child is to extend a helping hand to her parents. A group of dedicated teachers at Johnston Elementary School are offering that support to the parents and caregivers of their students at the new Parent Resource Room.
Johnston Elementary School teachers Bernadette Skoczylas and Wanda Ponder attended the Achievement First! conference last summer, sponsored by the Teacher Excellence Center. Inspired by teachers they met from Alabama and New Jersey districts in similarly challenged circumstances, Mrs. Skoczylas and Mrs. Ponder took a look at what the needs are in Wilkinsburg and developed an action plan to implement a Parent Resource Room at Johnston Elementary School. "We learn so much when we get the opportunity to brainstorm with other people in similar districts. It opens us up to a whole new perspective," said Mrs. Skoczylas.
Enlisting their colleagues Melanie Ackerman and Clothia Williams, the team developed a survey to ask the parents what resources they thought would be the most useful to them. The same results kept coming up -- parents want to know how to best help their children learn, they want to improve their own computer and career skills, and they want to learn about financial planning.
In just a few short months, and with very little money, the team has created a vibrant space for parent workshops, complete with a resource library and a computer with Internet access. Meeting early in the mornings before work, they have planned a wide variety of activities focusing on wellness, positive parenting, encouraging positive social skills, career planning, financial workshops and credit repair, parent and child community service and cultural experiences. Parents also have access to a clothing bank, which provides professional and casual clothing to Johnston families. Parents earn items by volunteering their time at the bank.
"The parents are extremely focused when they come to the Resource Room," said Mrs. Skoczylas. "Most use the computer to search job databases and post resumes online."
Open to all Johnston parents and caregivers, the Parent Resource Room is open Monday through Thursday during school hours. Workshops are held on Wednesdays after school.
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