Pershing Elementary is award-winning

by Malena Ward

October 31, 2007 | Lexington Clipper-Herald | Lexington, Nebraska

Pershing kindergarten teacher Janelle VerMaas demonstrates how to review the alphabet with Nohemi Hurtado-Vigil, daughter of Israel and Claudia Hurtado.

Pershing kindergarten teacher Janelle VerMaas demonstrates how to review the alphabet with Nohemi Hurtado-Vigil, daughter of Israel and Claudia Hurtado during a 7:30 a.m. session of

(This is the second part of a two-part series about a national award Lexington's Pershing Elementary won recently. In Part I, Malena Ward described the importance of the Nicholas Michelli Award. Today, she describes the way Pershing worked to receive the distinguished honor.)

A 28-member leadership group received training for inviting over 150 others into the process of enacting change. They set off to create a project to enhance parent participation in the school. This time the brainstorming was a school community affair, with a grand kickoff of a dinner and a musical program performed by students.

Participants were divided into smaller groups (typically 10 to 30 people) led by trained facilitators to discuss a series of questions designed to explore attitudes, perceptions and desires. The study circle forum continued as each group met, usually weekly, for at least an additional month.

While adults may have known they were engaged in an important work, for children each step was simply fun. Bergstrom said, students commented favorably about the opportunity to be with their peers outside of the school day. Some even questioned their parents with, "Don't you have another one of those meetings to go to?" Free on-site childcare was provided for each study circle group, which met in a variety of settings such as the school, library or at a church.

The consensus when each small group reconvened in a larger group was that parent and teacher communication could be enhanced through the expansion of a program called "Together for Children."

Initially utilized at the kindergarten level, the program was adopted school-wide. Meetings of 30 to 45 minutes each, provide an opportunity for a teacher to talk about the concepts and skills currently being taught in the classroom.

VerMaas said of her monthly sessions, "Skills are discussed and demonstrated with the child to the parents. Then, parents can practice at home one-on-one with their child."

The meetings also allow parents to ask questions, meet other parents and share their hopes and dreams for their child, she said.

Groups meet at varied times to accommodate parent participation and translators are available to enhance communication.

"When children see their parents coming to school it shows the child how much their parents value education and them," said VerMaas.

Parents are pleased with the program too. Ena Palacios said by attending she has learned "ideas to make the school work enjoyable and fun."

Roxana Lizama said, "My daughter is pleased and likes it when I come and participate. It has been of much help to me."

Pedro Prado said, "My wife and I have met new friends through other parents whose children come to this school."

Amed Vazquez said, "It's nice because you hear of other parent's experiences with their children's learning process."

The Pershing staff also implemented quarterly family activities, outside the typical school day, as culminating events for themes pursued during school-wide learning units. Last year these included a reading rodeo, multi-cultural Christmas, academy awards style "Pershing Choice Awards" to recognize student authors and "Exercise for Mind and Body." Attendance ranged from 320 to 480.

Another round of study circles focused on immigration. Dennis Potthoff, a professor and chair of the teaching department at the University of Nebraska-Kearney said, "The candor and honesty which characterized this series of conversations was enlightening and challenging."

Bergstrom noted that the city council and faith-based community have been instrumental in forming a multi-cultural commission and expanding the Welcome Center to include a skilled immigration specialist, as recommended by study circle participants.

A third study circle targeted high school students in "boundary breaking." The emergent action plan was a series of student-planned events providing more opportunities for youth to be with other youth, not necessarily in their circle of friends, said Potthoff. Potthoff said, "Without question, activities implemented at Pershing School have helped to create momentum and support for community-based initiatives."

While certain goals were actively pursued, there were other positive results. One unintended outcome was the development of similar programs (leadership training and study circles) in other schools within the district and a greater link between LPS and UNK, said Potthoff.

Bergstrom said, "The dream and the hope is that we can engage everyone in the democratic purposes of our city and school district." He said the process involves educating new people about democracy and reminding longtime residents of the sometimes forgotten principle.

http://www.lexch.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18973137&BRD=284&PAG=461&dept_id=558509&rfi=6

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