An
article in the October 2013 “High School Today” about the role of parents in
activity programs served as a great reminder of the value of positive parental
involvement. According to Dan Gerdes, “parental involvement is an integral
piece of the success formula” for students!
Since
these programs often involve mom and dad’s most valuable gift -their son or
daughter- parents feel compelled to closely observe and scrutinize activities
to make sure their child is not going to be hurt in any way. Parents
unquestionably have this right and the moral obligation to keep their kids free
from harm.
So
how can parents, coaches, and student-athletes work together to accomplish this
important goal? Gerdes states, “one of the keys to making the relationship work
for everyone is to understand the difference between rights and shared
responsibilities”. Focusing on “shared responsibilities” establishes common
ground to promote positive outcomes. Rights, too often, are used as tools of
entitlement and conflict.
Today,
the increase of social media has diminished effective personal communication
with parents in many ways. People will often
write about someone on social media something they would never say to them
personally. Yet, most everyone still recognizes and appreciates the
connection of a friendly face-to-face conversation, handshake, or smile - none
of which happen on Facebook posts, blogs, through a Twitter feed, or cell phone
text.
It
is understandable that sometimes, parents just need to vent, without fear of
retaliation. Most coaches and sponsors are parents themselves and recognize how
difficult it is when their own child is upset or hurting. This is common ground
that they share to resolve concerns. While school policy prohibits discussing
playing time, school staff are willing to work cooperatively in helping every
student meet their full potential. This is a “shared responsibility”.
When
all the adults in a child’s life model respect, decency, trustworthiness, and
humility, it becomes the expectation for them to practice as future adults.
Direct
and respectful communication is the best way to maximize a student’s success!
Relationships are never simple, but can be improved with clear expectations
from all parties involved. Increased communication and remembering to treat
others the way one would like to be treated, will result in a win-win-win
outcome for all!
-Dr.
Paula Sissel
Superintendent/Elementary
Principal