Parents

This coordinator plays a key role in creating a supportive relationship between the ELC staff, students, and students’ families. S/he maintains close contact with room parents and coordinates and develops the educational program for all School Parent Council meetings. She also teaches the course Systematic Training for Effective Parenting.

The Parent Liaisons work closely with the Parent Coordinator to strengthen the relationship between parents and the school with the goal of having both function as equal partners in supporting the students’ learning. Our Spanish and Chinese Parent Liaisons provide a needed service by connecting our Latino and Chinese parent communities with the rest of the ELC. Our Read Boston Parent Liaison will insure that children are being read to at home on a daily basis and will support parents and teachers in this process. Our Opening the World of Learning (OWL) Liaison will support parents and teachers in developing student reading skills in K0-K1 both at home and in the classroom.

The ELC School Parent Council (SPC) is comprised of parents from each classroom and is a forum for parents to voice their ideas, opinions, and concerns.  Although only a core group of parents officially commits to serve on the Council, the monthly meetings are open to all parents, and all parents’ opinions carry equal weight.  At the discretion of the Council, teachers, administrators or other groups may attend meetings to provide information and to solicit input on resources, policies, curriculum, etc.

The function of the SPC is to represent the best interests of all parents with children in the school. The Council parents must report to the larger parent body.

The primary responsibility of room parents is to act as liaisons among the classroom, the parents, and the principal. They also represent the voice of their classroom to the ELC School Parent Council. Room parents may help with special events, with notification of parents in the case of emergency school closings, and with obtaining chaperones for class field trips.

Parents are expected to participate in Parent/Teacher conferences at least three times a year during morning or evening time slots designated by the ELC.  Parents or teachers may request conferences at other times as needed.

Parent/Teacher conferences provide an opportunity to share information with you about your child's growth and development.  The ELC can respond to your questions and concerns and offer suggestions for extending your child’s learning into the home.  It is important that you let us know about any stresses in your child’s or your family’s life.  This enables us to be more responsive to your child’s needs.

The principal will be hosting Parent-Principal Coffee Hours. We welcome concerns and suggestions and we also want to know what works for you.

At the ELC, we appreciate your role in your child's growth and development. We encourage you to interact with your child's teachers on a daily basis.  Please call if you have any questions or concerns, and we will discuss them by phone or schedule a Parent/Teacher Conference.

The Early Learning Center has a home reading program for students. Quality books are available for children to check out on a daily basis. The program provides young children with the opportunity to spend quality time reading at home. Making this a regular or daily practice allows parents to build upon the language acquisition skills necessary for reading development. Teachers often extend the students' Take Home Book Program reading by means of written book reports.

Planned field trips and short excursions into the immediate neighborhood are a valuable learning experience for your child.  Notification and permission slips will be sent home for planned field trips.

Field trips provide an excellent opportunity for parent involvement.  Any chaperoning assistance you can provide is welcome. We depend on your support and involvement to enrich your child’s program.

Parents are also welcome in the classroom to share their skills, professions, and cultures. We encourage you to be a part of your child’s classroom.