What Parents Want Schools to Know: Welcoming Environment

Summary

The video emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment for both parents and children in schools. It highlights how small gestures, like a smile or greeting, can make parents feel more included. The speaker shares a personal experience where a change in school procedure, though necessary for safety, left them feeling unwelcome. The video stresses the need for schools to balance safety with creating an inclusive atmosphere for parents, as this encourages stronger engagement with teachers and staff. Ultimately, a welcoming environment benefits both parents and students, fostering comfort and involvement.

Takeaways

• 😊 Simple gestures like a smile, nod, or hello can make parents feel welcome.
• 🏫 Schools should make parents feel like they belong and are welcome.
• 🚪 Parents should feel they can visit schools as long as it doesn't disrupt classrooms.
• 📢 Teachers and administrators need to inform parents about changes in procedures.
• 🔒 Safety protocols are important, but they shouldn't make parents feel unwelcome.
• 👎 A lack of a welcoming environment can lead to parents being less involved in schools.
• 🛡️ Balancing safety concerns with making parents feel welcome is a key challenge for schools.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Creating a welcoming atmosphere helps both parents and children feel comfortable.
• 📝 Feeling unwelcome can discourage parental involvement with staff and teachers.
• 👧 Schools should prioritize making children feel comfortable, alongside welcoming parents.

Q & A

What can make parents feel more welcome at a school?

Simple gestures like a smile, nod, or hello can make parents feel more welcome and help them feel like they belong at the school.

Why might parents feel unwelcome in schools, according to the script?

Parents may feel unwelcome if they are not allowed to be involved, like being informed they cannot walk their children to class, which can create a barrier and make them feel excluded.

What role do teachers and administrators play in making parents feel welcome?

Teachers and administrators should inform parents of any changes to procedures and ensure that parents know they are welcome, as long as they are not disrupting the classroom.

What impact does not having a welcoming environment have on parents?

If the environment is not welcoming, parents may stay away from the school and be less involved with teachers or staff, affecting their engagement.

Why was the speaker not allowed to walk their children into school?

The speaker was told that this was a safety concern, which required them to park at the front entrance and enter through the front office.

How does the school balance safety and creating a welcoming environment?

Schools must ensure the safety of the children while also creating a welcoming atmosphere for parents so that they feel involved and comfortable.

How does making parents feel welcome benefit schools?

Making parents feel welcome encourages their involvement and collaboration with the school, fostering a better relationship between parents, staff, and teachers.

Why is it important for children to feel welcome in their school?

When children feel welcome and comfortable at school, they are more likely to have a positive learning experience and feel confident in their environment.

What can schools do to improve parent involvement?

Schools can improve parent involvement by ensuring open communication, making parents feel welcome, and keeping them informed of any changes in procedures.

What is a key takeaway from the speaker’s experience regarding school policies?

While safety policies are necessary, schools should also consider how these policies impact the feelings of parents and work to maintain a welcoming environment.