EDLD 5326 Progress Report

Although I have been keeping my blog updated, the course I just completed requires that I post the update that was written for part of my last assignment...so here it goes!

My action research plan is going well.  During the month of January, I planned and implemented a Family Reading Night and I sent a school-wide survey to parents to find out what kind of parent and family involvement activities they are interested in.  Family Reading Night was an overwhelming success (as I have already posted on my blog).  The theme was “Cozy Up to a Good Book.”  Kids came dressed in their pajamas and teachers read stories in their rooms.  Each teacher chose a different theme.  Some of the themes were sports, Mo Willems, friendship, and Dr. Seuss.  Hot chocolate and cookies were served in the cafeteria.  There was also a book making station set up in the cafeteria.  I am thrilled to report that every child in attendance received a free book!  Including adults, 200 people enjoyed Family Reading Night.  Parents were also asked to complete a short survey about the evening.  Completing the survey got their name put in a drawing for door prizes.  All the feedback from the surveys was positive.  The next day, three gift baskets filled with books and games were given to students.  The other major part of my action research that has been completed is a school-weide parent survey.  The participation rate was great.  The feedback from this survey is what is really driving my action research.  Parental involvement needs to meet the needs of parents, so it is important to provide activities that they say they want to see on our campus.  That is why our upcoming activity is a technology night just for parents.  They said they want this, so I hope there is a high participation rate.  I also have a Reading Restaurant planned for the end of April, but a new event was just put on the school calendar for that date, so I’m going to have to reschedule it.  This will be a time for parents to come listen to their children read during the school day.  I’m trying to plan activities at different times (not always at night) so parents have a variety of activities to choose from.  I have also completed some one-on-one parent interviews to assess the campus culture and to hear directly from individuals what they think the school should do to involve parents.  My action research will go into next school year.