Meeting Makeovers: From Briefings to Parent Circles
When a critical number of people change how they think and behave, the culture does also, and the new era begins.
Once the principles are understood, the significance of women’s circles can be appreciated as revolutionary — Evolutionary movement that is hidden in plain sight. It appears to be just women getting together and talking, but each woman in each circle is contributing to something grander.
Jean Shinoda Bolen M.D. — The millionth circle
Parents’ meetings are invaluable gatherings that can truly make a difference. These meetings hold more significance than mere obligations on the academic calendar, as they are crucial for enhancing parental involvement and engagement. They are powerful instruments for strengthening the partnership between parents, educators, and caregivers, fostering a supportive environment for children's growth and development.
To you, do parents’ meetings seem just like informative sessions that you could have watched online? Do they feel like you attend with good intentions, believing they'll be these meaningful spaces of communication where we, as parents, can truly connect and engage in our children's educational journey… But then, reality falls short, leaving you a tad disappointed? So, how can you transform them into the communicative spaces you've been yearning for?
I'd like to dive into why these meetings are so important, exploring their objectives and the ways they can enhance parent involvement and engagement. I’m convinced that we can reshape them into the vibrant, communicative spaces we all wish for.
I remember as a child, my parents would attend meetings at my school where a big group of adults sat on chairs placed in a circle without tables or anything in the middle. That was the format of parents’ class meetings… It never occurred to me that it could be otherwise.
Then at my son’s first class parents’ meeting, the teacher stood up in front of the whole class and gave an informative session. A few questions were asked, but I could only see the back of the heads of half of the parents. Then she said that no other parent class meetings were planned. We now depended on WhatsApp groups and emails to discuss matters related to the class. It might sound dramatic, but I felt devastated.
Sitting in a circle in small groups rather than having an informative session where only the teacher speaks, is a format that could be replicated in a parent meeting in each class of the school. Parents are reluctant to attend workshops because they sound optional, meanwhile parent meetings feel like spaces where important information and decisions are made.
Can it be that teachers and principals need to understand that the format of the meetings is the first step to create communication?
We need to break the vicious cycle around parent involvement: parents don’t attend/participate in meetings; therefore, teachers and principals don’t see the point in organising these meetings; therefore, less meetings are organised; therefore parents participate even less. The starting point, rather than trying to reach out to parents to attend the meetings, would be to organise meetings more often. I think that should be the main message to schools and daycares: create the space for parents to meet. Schools are very autonomous, so they need to have more awareness of the importance of creating these spaces.
The Objectives of Parents' Meetings
Parents' meetings serve several key objectives, all aimed at creating a dynamic and inclusive educational community:
Building Relationships: One primary objective is to build strong relationships among parents, teachers, and administrators. Effective communication is the cornerstone of this endeavour.
Informing and Empowering: Parents' meetings are a platform to inform parents about school policies, curriculum updates, and their children's progress. They empower parents with knowledge, enabling them to actively participate in their child's education.
Sharing Best Practices: These gatherings provide an opportunity for parents to share their experiences and insights, helping one another navigate the complexities of parenthood and education.
Problem-Solving: In addressing challenges or concerns, parents' meetings can serve as a forum for collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
Enhancing Parental Involvement: By keeping parents informed and engaged, these meetings encourage active participation in school activities and decision-making processes.
Magic tip for parents’ meetings: Getting to know the parents and helping the parents to know each other should always be one main goal in every parents’ meeting.
As a teacher, use your pedagogical skills to encourage this group of people to talk to each other, just like you do with your students. You can start with a 5 minute icebreaker if the group is completely new.
As a parent, introduce yourself to the other parents. Arrive a bit in advance and linger a bit afterwards. Remember how easily you can start a conversation with these other people who have a lot in common with you. Say your child’s name and which class she attends and ask about theirs.
Make sure a way to communicate as a group is created for follow-up. If it already exists, share it with the group to encourage those who are new to join.
The Do's and Don'ts for Effective Parents' Meetings
Do's:
(As a teacher) Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an atmosphere where parents feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Encourage questions and feedback.
(As a parent) Speak Up: Don't be shy; share your thoughts and questions. It's your chance to be heard.
Team Up: Use these meetings to find solutions together. Have a collaborative problem-solving attitude by using meetings as an opportunity to collaboratively address challenges and seek solutions.
(As a teacher) Involve Parents in Planning: Let parents have a say in the meeting agenda and topics to be discussed.
(As a parent) Help Plan: Suggest topics for discussion – it's your meeting too, and your ideas matter.
Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate the achievements of students, parents, and teachers. Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator.
Bring Your Unique Perspective: We're all different, and that's a good thing. Your ideas might just be what the school needs.
Don'ts:
Monologues: Avoid long, one-sided monologues that turn the meeting into an informative session. Send information in advance. Aim for interactive discussions.
Overloading Information: Don't overwhelm parents with excessive information. Focus on key topics and provide follow-up resources.
Don't Ignore Concerns: If something's on your mind, say it. Even small worries matter.
Follow Up: Don't let the good stuff stop after the meeting. Keep the conversation going.
Breaking vicious circles and creating positive synergies :
Both as a parent and even more as a teacher, disappointment creeps in when there is little attendance, poor communication and lack of participation. Remember that building relationships and communication takes time.
Insist on organising parents’ meetings or requesting teachers and principals to do so if you are a parent. First you create the space and little by little more parents will attend as they start to know each other better. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by attending and organising meetings. Try to organise at least one meeting per semester.
Remember, if the meeting is a place for meaningful exchange, it will feel like an investment, not like a burden. It might take a bit of time to organise and attend, but it will save time in the future as parents will seek less mediation and intervention of the teachers in small matters that will be addressed among them.
Parents' meetings should be viewed as more than just obligations on a school or daycare's calendar. They are opportunities to strengthen the bonds between parents, educators, and caregivers, ultimately benefiting the children at the heart of it all. By putting your heart at it and believing they matter, these meetings can evolve into spaces for open, meaningful communication, where parents actively engage in the educational journey of their children and collectively contribute to the growth and success of the school community.
