As Parents, to Help Our Child Succeed in School,
We Must Exercise These Rights...
Our Rights... Our Responsibility ...
- to a quality education for our child
- to be involved in the education of our child
- to be able to complain effectively when we feel the school system is doing something wrong
- to a student-centered environment for our child
- to have our local values honored in the school system
- to have our local way of life honored by the school system
- to have our child learn to "walk in two worlds"
- help the school understand what "quality education" means for our child
- to participate in the school system so our voices can be heard
- is to approach the school system in a dignified manner when we am not satisfied, this requires understand the process of complaining that exists in the school
- is to help create that environment
- is to teach the school system what values are important to us and to show them how to teach those values
- is to make sure the school has cultural activities that honor our way of life
- is to help the school teach our child about their world from both perspectives
Notice how the school system is trying to change to better meet the needs of the children it serves.
Positive Ways to Work With the School
Many {not all} Native parents did not have good experiences in school. As a result, they often react in negative ways with schools.
Instead of... I should...
- getting mad when my child comes home and says something bad about the school...
- believing everything my child says...
- believing everything the teacher says...
- waiting until there's a problem....
- leaving the education of my child to the school...
- finding blame...
- using anger...
- not saying anything when I'm upset with the school...
- always waiting for the school to do something...
- Other(s)?