Before concluding the 9:30am Mass at the DBTC Chapel today, the Parents, Teachers & Community Association (PTCA) Officers were inducted to begin their official function. It was a concrete and crucial sign of partnership.
Parental involvement matters significantly in the educational life of every child. It gave me great joy to see so many parents showing up for their children and for Don Bosco. It was truly love in action because if you love, you get involved. You make whatever sacrifice to be there for your child. Your visibility as a parent speaks volumes.
There are at least three meaningful reasons why parents needs this partnership with the school:
- Communication
Regular and updated communication between teachers and parents play a vital role in the child’s progress. Parents need to be informed about what is going on in the school life of their child especially when they are in the primary years. They need to talk about separation anxiety, emotional stress like adjustment to a new environment or academic obstacles they need to overcome. Presence and timely information is a positive reassurance every child needs. - Collaboration
Active parental collaboration is a big step to bridge the gap between home and classroom. When school expectations align with home rules, children receive a unified message, reinforce good habits and allows growth to be consistent. Through regular contacts with teachers, parents make room for early detection of deficiencies and early intervention and support. - Community Experience
School partnership is a shared responsibility. Involvement is the key to build the community so that from mere strangers it becomes a family. St. John Bosco always wanted his school to be more than a school. As a character-building institution, it must be a school that prepares them for life; a church that evagelizes and gives meaning to what they do; a playground to meet and celebrate with friends. But most of all, a family that welcomes and care, a safe space to grow and learn.
My takeaway:
DBTC-Cebu is committed to be an accompanying Educative Pastoral Community. Our partnership with teachers and parents is always a strategic investment for all stakeholders to own this educational dream of forming good Christians and upright citizens.