MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Matthew C. Perry Elementary School hosted a Parent University Night in the school cafeteria here Dec. 7.
This is the second time the staff of M.C. Perry Elementary has held the Parent University Night, which has now become an annual workshop.
At the end of the workshop, the parents were given a needs assessment, which is a questionnaire the parents fill out to help the teachers decide what classes should be taught in next year’s Parent University Night.
Topics discussed at this year’s Parent University Night included: study and test taking skills, building resiliency, strategies for English language learners, handwriting skills, dealing with disruptive behavior, math skills, ideas that cook with kids and your child and technology.
The parents went through three 25-minute sessions where they learned three topics, about their children, the parents wanted to know the most. Childcare was provided while the parents went through the sessions.
The children had fun in the school’s library, they had the opportunity to watch a movie and work on the activities, puzzles and coloring pages available while their parents attended classes.
The parents, who haven’t been to school in a long time, had to head back to school as the children enjoyed their time off.
“It’s a chance to have the parents see what we (the students) are going through,” said Julianna Friedhoff, a student at M.C. Perry Elementary School.
Even if the parents do remember that far back, things have changed and gotten more difficult as time goes on.
“The goal of Parent University Night is to teach the parents about what their kids go through on a day-to-day basis and how to better assist them,” said Susie Strasner, an M.C. Perry Elementary School counselor.
The staff of M.C. Perry Elementary School worked hard to find out what the parents wanted to learn about their children as well as find people to teach chosen classes.
“After the needs are picked, the staff puts together the itinerary based on what the community has and the resources available,” said Gina Friedhoff, an M.C. Perry Elementary School counselor.
With help from the parents and the needs assessment given at the end of the night, the staff of M.C. Perry Elementary school can start to plan for the third annual Parent University Night next school year.