On April 19, during an asynchronous day for grades 6-12, Park students, parents and teachers gathered in Park’s Activity Center for “Family Engagement Day.” In the two sessions, during the morning and afternoon, the high school faculty set up tables for students and parents to walk around and engage in conversation discussing curriculum, student activities and whatever else — a new format for this event.
Tim Donahue, Park physical education teacher, said the day is intended to give teachers a chance to talk to parents who don’t have the chance otherwise, and get the community more involved in their kids’ education.
“It’s to involve the community, allow the community an opportunity to come in, see what the high school is doing; Meet some teachers,” Donahue said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for parents, who can make it work.”
Colin Cox, Park parent, said a big part of the event is about understanding the curriculum when he and his kid are often busy and don’t get to hear a lot about what is being taught in his classes.
“It’s a good way for us as parents to talk with all the teachers to see the materials and make that connection because otherwise, it’s really easy to not make that connection to the teachers,” Cox said. “We’re sort of in this world where things are a little bit more virtual, we’re busy and all the students are too.”
Donahue said he especially enjoyed the more personal conversations, like one he had about the sports a student was involved in outside of school.
“I had a student come in with their parent, and they brought their sibling. I learned that their sibling was doing gymnastics, and I’m interested in getting my son into some gymnastics,” said Donahue. “I found out where they’re doing it. It’s just kind of funny how you connect to different people when you talk to them.”
Junior Kate Grimm, who was at Family Engagement Day to sell merchandise for the school’s pop-up store, said she thinks the day could have been more successful if there had been more advertising to families.
“It’s been a success because some parents have come and they’ve been interacting with the teachers really well,” said Grimm. “They should have put more notice out because I never really saw anything about it and the attendance was pretty low.”
According to Cox, the change in format was good to make the event more convenient for parents, and he wishes more parents attended.
“I think parents have said they want this opportunity to engage with teachers in an easy format and with no time rush, I hope that some more parents do take advantage of it,” said Cox. “I do like this format that they’re doing this time where everybody is here because it makes it a little bit easier than wandering the hallways. It’s fun to see the teachers in this environment together and this makes it way easier.”
