Supporting parent engagement is one of the many ways Grassroots encourages relationship-building, community, and collaboration between families and staff at community schools. At Alta Vista Elementary, there is a group of parents who have created Parent Connect, a group dedicated to help parents navigate the school life of their children.
Cynthia Frias, Keli Jackson Freeman, and Nelissa Davalos began Parent Connect so that parents could have a social group where they could feel supported, ask questions, and engage with the school staff.
The group started meeting this summer and has begun asking questions that raise awareness for the safety of their children, are bringing ideas for what can be improved at the school and are an additional method for communication with administration at Alta Vista Elementary.
On August 1st and 2nd, Alta Vista Elementary had their New Family Orientation Nights, welcoming parents to the school, providing tours, and giving out free goodies to the new families of Alta Vista Elementary. Also welcoming the new families, was Parent Connect. Cynthia was happily inviting parents to the group and was provided information on how to join in both English and Spanish. The group will also be attending the Meet the Teacher come-and-go portion on August 11th for Alta Vista Elementary from 6-7pm.
Parent Connect is hoping to recruit more families to the group, inviting parents, grandparents, and guardians of children attending Alta Vista Elementary. The group strongly believes that parents can support each other as their kids go to school together. Parent Connect currently has a GroupMe as a way to keep parents connected to each other. They will be using GroupMe to provide updates on their next meetings, have a space to connect with each other and to answer questions someone may have in the group.
If you are an Alta Vista Elementary parent, grandparent, or guardian and would like to join the Parent Connect group, reach out to Nataly at nataly@gassrootswaco.org.
Parent Connect would like to give a special thanks to Principal Helton and the wonderful staff at Alta Vista Elementary that is supporting the group and helping make it possible for parents to connect to each other and the school.
-Nataly Sanchez
