Last Updated on February 16, 2006 by Paulette Brown-Hinds
Building Better Communities
By Dina Walker
Taken from A Blueprint for Action III a product of The National Council on Educating Black Children
Parents and Families (Part 4)
Recognizing that all parents and families must understand their rights and responsibilities, should participate in developing models for involvement in the schools, and should be encouraged to take responsibility for the education of their children, we commit to:
E. Develop relationships with school administrators and teachers to Improve the achievement of students.
1. Begin and maintain working relationships with teachers and school administrators via school visits, telephone conversations, and written communications.
2. Respond to any notices from teachers or the school right away.
3. Discuss with principals, teachers, and staff the special needs and behaviors of your children.
F. Lobby to get school districts to provide transportation and other services needed for effective parental Involvement.
1. Request transportation to the school for conferences, meetings, or programs.
2. Encourage the community to use alternative and rotating sites for school meetings.
3. Request that religious institutions offer their facilities to parents after services on Sundays, Sabbaths, and on other days for meetings/training.
4. Select ideas that contribute to both parents' end students' understanding of their cultural heritage.
COLLEGE CORNER
Cal Grant Deadline is March 2nd
Cal Grants are state funded grants given to students to help pay for college expenses. The awards do not have to be paid back.
How to apply for a Cal Grants A, B, and C
Step one:
Fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Remember the FAFSA is FREE!!!
If you are asked to provide a credit card number or some other form of payment to submit your FAFSA, you are at the wrong website!
Step Two:
File a Grade Point Average (GPA) Verification Form with the California Student Aid Commission no later than March 2
www.csac.ca.gov
Some high schools and colleges automatically file their students verified GPAs with the Commission. Some do not. You must confirm whether your school will file your GPA for you, or obtain a GPA Verification Form, get it certified by a school official and mail it yourself.
For more information visit the websites listed above.
Dina Walker is President/CEO of BLU Educational Services, LLC a consulting firm specializing in educational and human services programming for youth, schools and community organizations.