Jan 27th Minutes

January 27, 2010 – Parent Education Series

Topic:  Substance Abuse, Drugs and Alcohol

Presenters:  Randy Bernstein and ?

Teachers at South are using the Socratic Seminar method for teaching.  In a Socratic Seminar, a topic is chosen that is somewhat open ended.  A text is used as a basis for a collaborative discussion (not a debate) and questions are asked by participants.  Chairs are arranged in a circle for “pilots” and an outer circle of chairs is arranged for “co-pilots.”  Participants are divided into groups of three, one person being the pilot and the other two sitting in the outer circle behind their pilot.  The pilots in the inner circle discuss the questions they made up from the text and then turn to their co-pilots to discuss questions more deeply.   This format was used for the presentation this evening to discuss the topic of substance abuse, drugs and alcohol as a demonstration for parents to experience how the Socratic Seminar is used in some classes at South. 

The seminar began by giving parents a short piece of text to read.  The article, “Parents, fess up,” had a bit of a slant and invited questioning and controversy.  The article encouraged parents to talk to their kids about their own experiences with drug and alcohol use.  A question was chosen for discussion:  “If your child doesn’t have obvious signs of drug or alcohol abuse, how do you raise the question, how much should we talk about it?”

The pilots in the inner circle responded:

You can talk about your own experience, what your concerns are.  Sometimes they are oblivious.

It depends on how much they bring it up themselves.

Seize opportunities for conversation. Ask them what they know.  Talk about other kids—“Aren’t you glad you’re not making those choices.”  “I’m so glad you’re not doing that.”  “If you were at that party, what  would you have done?” Be curious.

Pilots turn and talk to co-pilots -- How do you encourage a teen who does not want to talk about these things and you do?  How do you talk to kids about your past experience?

The co-pilots in the outer circle responded:

Let them talk and be quiet.  Ask them to tell you more.

Each child in a family may be handled differently.

Both parents in a family may not want to share their experiences.  Child may sense conflict.  Won’t want to talk about drug use.  There is no one way to do it.

Say, “here’s a reason why you don’t …

If they went to a party, ask, “did anybody bring any booze?, smoke in the back room?”

My daughter is sick of people talking about drugs.

You can talk about what has happened in general – people who have used too much, too early.

We have survived our use of drugs and alcohol – we can’t tell them that it’s automatically bad.

What do you think the goal is? Never try drugs and alcohol? Is your goal for them to be open with you? What is it you hope to come out of this?

Three rules – Be safe, Be smart and Have a backup plan (call for a ride, don’t get into a car with a drunk driver).

Goal is to be realistic.  Postpone use until after college, realize the risk of use.  One attempt with meth can mean addiction.  Be relied on to talk openly.  Talk about brain development. Make sure they have a thorough understanding.

Let our kids know that we’re going to be there for them.  Their freedom and opportunities can be permanently affected.

As the meeting came to an end, Randy explained that students using the Socratic Seminar  would follow up with a writing activity.

January 27, 2010 – Parent Council Meeting

Parent Education Series meeting ended at 8 pm, but it took 10 minutes for parents to regroup for the Parent Council Business Meeting, and another 5 minutes to begin the meeting.  There were 30-40 attendees seated in the cafeteria.

At 8:15, Mark gave a summary of the meeting agenda:  What is it we can do to engage more parents?  He questioned if something can inspire parents to have a process to gather information on the School Improvement Plan, and specifically a way to approach grading.  Due to time constraints, he took an informal survey by way of a show of hands: does the group want to focus on SI and grading, or stick to the planned agenda on financial business, scrip and fundraising?  At this time, some parents raised the issue that it has traditionally been the function of Parent Council to attend to the budget and fundraising. 

Helen Beardsworth spoke:  Our budget needs to be signed sealed and delivered by March.  Scrip and budget need to be discussed now.  Mark said we don’t have time for it.  We have obligations – we’ll be here in May not being able to meet our obligations. 

Principal Randy Bernstein gave a background of Parent Council:  PC has historically served to support students and staff by fundraising and deciding how to spend funds that are raised by PC.  PC currently funds the Volunteer Coordinator, Parent Education Series expenses, School Librarian, and some classes and other things.  It has served as a forum for different people to come to meet other parents, question and answer. Things have taken a turn this year.  PC did not meet in November and December.  The September and October meetings chaired by Mark Rosen have focused on informal discussions about School Improvement.  Randy acknowledged there was some consternation in the room due to differences in opinion. 

It was proposed by parents to look at the by-laws of PC and examine how we can address School Improvement and generate ideas for Site Council.  It was agreed that we need to stay within the structure of Parent Council.  There were parents at the PC meeting for the first time who have no idea how PC is run.  Many parents cannot make it to these meetings, but they are interested in what takes place.  We cannot make decisions based on a small representation.  It was suggested that the topic of grading is inappropriate at this time.

A member of the Site Council spoke:  We appreciate getting more input.  We operate on the goals of a school board, administration and our teaching staff, not brainstorming outside of 4J. We need to consider what the teachers, school board think before we start throwing around ideas.  Why would we spend a lot of time and energy as parents on a topic that is not in our district’s goals?

Mark Rosen said, “The State wants input from parents, not just through administrators and teachers.  We should sift through ideas, that this is something that should be considered.”

Site Council member:  “Informal discussion is not getting us a broad representation.”

Mark:  “The idea is to have informal discussions about topics related to School Improvement, then possibly survey to see if there is broad support.”

Randy:  “We can form another group to discuss ideas about what’s happening that we would like to see more.  That group can share with PC.  There is no limitation on any group of parents who want to discuss a topic.”

A motion was passed:

Form a group to discuss school improvement issues that would meet before the PC business meeting in February.  That group will report at the February meeting.

Form a task force to study the PC bi-laws to report to PC.

The budget and fundraising task force, which already exists, will report at the February PC meeting.

The next Parent Council Meeting will take place in the school cafeteria.  The Parent Education Series will be 7-8 pm and the Business Meeting will be 8-9 pm.