Sure Start Program Guide

Sure Start Program Guide August 2018 Page 51 • Home visits and parent conferences • Parent education meetings It is vital for the teacher and paraprofessional to be culturally sensitive to all parent participants. This is especially relevant in overseas military communities, where many foreign national parents are married to U.S. military personnel. Many are apprehensive about participating because of their culture or a lack of confidence in their English language skills. It is important for the teacher and the paraprofessional to help all parents assimilate into the Sure Start classroom. Parent Orientation To prepare parents for the Sure Start program, staff will schedule an orientation meeting before the first day of school. It is mandatory for at least one parent to attend; however, it is recommended that both parents participate if possible. The orientation will cover the following: • An overview of the Sure Start program—its goals, philosophy, operating procedures, schedule, family-style dining, positive guidance strategies, etc. • An introduction to the Sure Start curriculum, including a tour of the classroom interest areas and an overview of the daily schedule • An explanation of what children learn in Sure Start and how they learn through play • Parents’ roles and responsibilities, both in the Sure Start classroom and at home • An overview of the Sure Start policy, which explains that students’ siblings are not allowed in the Sure Start classroom while a parent is fulfilling participation hours during instructional day Parents as Participants in the Classroom Parent participation is integral to the success of the Sure Start program. Each parent is required to be a partner in education by participating in the Sure Start classroom no less than thirty hours. In two-parent families, both parents are expected to contribute 30 hours each (total 60 hours per family). Parents who are deployed for an extended period of time are expected to participate in the classroom for a time equivalent of three and half hours per month. To facilitate the parent participant process, the principal or Sure Start teacher should send a letter to the sponsor’s commander at the start of the program year. Please click the link to download the Letter to Command - Sample . The letter should explain the importance and requirement for parental participation in Sure Start and enlisting the commander’s support in allowing parents to meet this obligation. Parents are required to follow local guidance regarding the school’s volunteer requirements (e.g. Red Cross training, background checks, etc.). The Sure Start teacher will maintain a parent participation log. In working with parents in the classroom, Sure Start staff can provide opportunities for parents to: • Read a story to children • Lead a song • Facilitate an art project, work with children on completing puzzles, building with blocks, or working with students in interest areas • Introduce children to a recipe