Based in community organizing and social justice principles, parents helped to shape their preschool by participating in parent committees where they learned skills such as budgeting, fund raising, advocating and leadership development. They made decisions on curriculum and materials used in the classroom. Each family donated two days a month in the classroom working side by side with the teachers. Moms and dads were engaged in all aspects of the classroom environment. They developed a deeper understanding that their involvement supported their children’s learning and development in school, as well as at home. Through this intentional bridge building, when parents worked side-by-side in the classroom with their child’s teacher, the children saw that their parents valued education very much. It also helped parents to develop friendships and learn together best practices that supported their children’s development.
We see the impact on our children and we take care of all the children as if they were our own.
Rosario Flores, Escuelita Alegre parent