Parents as Partner Episode # 27 September 21, 2009

Post-Show description: 

The Parents as Partners team welcomed Larry Ferlazzo, a high school teacher  from Sacramento, California Larry  as he discussed his new book “Building Parent Engagement in Schools”   http://engagingparentsinschool.edublogs.org

Larry shared his experiences in engaging parent using home visits and community partnerships.

Chat Log

10:04:52 [email protected] -> -EdTechTalk: hi

 

18:46:00 pooh bear -> -EdTechTalk: kasey

 

20:49:35 Lorna Costantini -> -EdTechTalk: hello everyone we start in 10 min

 

20:55:12 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: sorry about the audio

 

20:59:18 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hey langlab cindy...welcome!

 

20:59:39 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: we should be streaming using the ustream player to the right

 

21:00:21 LangLabCindy -> -EdTechTalk: thanks, matt!  looking forward to hearing this...

 

21:00:40 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hey jeannine...thanks for joining in tonight!

 

21:00:54 Jeannine S. -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Matt, hi everyone

 

21:01:37 LangLabCindy -> -EdTechTalk: What an interesting title Lorna has - what was it again?

 

21:02:36 jvirant -> -EdTechTalk: uStream audio is sounding good!

 

21:02:39 cgseibel -> -EdTechTalk: Hi everybody!

 

21:02:46 [email protected] -> -EdTechTalk: hi everyone

 

21:03:16 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hey chris and penny...welcome!

 

21:03:34 plind -> -EdTechTalk: hey Matt -- getting some major echo -- oh wait maybe it's gone

 

21:03:38 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: speaking with Larry regarding his new book on parental engagement

 

21:04:02 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hello sujokat...welcome to Parents as Partners...speaking with Larry Ferlazzo

 

21:04:33 sujokat -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Matt from Australia I'm on holidays here!

 

21:04:45 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: welcome back chris ;-)

 

21:05:05 ChrisJohnston -> -EdTechTalk: Thanks

 

21:05:06 plind -> -EdTechTalk: @matt - do you know if there is way for me to get the ustream audio to go through itunes?

 

21:05:16 ChrisJohnston -> -EdTechTalk: I was switching browsers

 

21:05:30 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: I don't think it is possible Penny...is the ustream audio suitable??

 

21:05:57 plind -> -EdTechTalk: oh it's fine -- just trying to pipe it through the house speakers so I can do dishes while I listen LOL!

 

21:06:08 ChrisJohnston -> -EdTechTalk: ITunes allows you to boost with the eq. I have often wondered about that myself

 

21:06:24 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: gotcha penny...nice system you have there!

 

21:06:39 plind -> -EdTechTalk: the itunes one is way further delayed than the ustream .. makes it hard to follow the chat when I do it through the "speaker" icon

 

21:06:48 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: back to that whole issue of "engagement" vs "involvement" relating to parents

 

21:07:21 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: the first time I ever hear "parent engagement" was when I met lorna online 2 yrs ago

 

21:07:32 sujokat -> -EdTechTalk: great to finally hear his voice after reading his fabulous blog and awesome tweets for so long!

 

21:08:10 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: @sujokat...I feel the same way...he certainly is a prolific blogger and "share-er"

 

21:08:48 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hey Peggy!

 

21:08:57 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Hi everyone!

 

21:09:31 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: too many webinars tonight!! I'm so sorry I'm late! I'm thrilled to hear from Larry Ferlazzo!!

 

21:09:54 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: no problem at all Peggy...thanks for joining in.

 

21:10:28 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: how cool is that!!! Dr. Pushor quoted in Larry's book from a past PAP webcast

 

21:11:36 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: how exciting!! my audio was delayed and I didn't hear the reference until 30 secs after you wrote that!

 

21:11:56 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hey peggy...we are on the ustream...I hope :-)

 

21:12:14 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: aren't PLNs fabulous!

 

21:12:33 Jeannine S. -> -EdTechTalk: @peggyG agreed!

 

21:12:36 plind -> -EdTechTalk: u r fine on the ustream!  have a new system set up! PaP and dishes -- way to multitask :-)

 

21:12:50 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: @Matt-didn't know that-I'm there now!

 

21:13:06 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: can't beat that, Penny!

 

21:13:25 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: peggy...I'm using the 2 computer method, soundflower on Mac

 

21:13:39 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: thank you!! love the alternatives :-)

 

21:13:51 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: I like that thought regarding power...

 

21:14:15 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: Give up Power and Control...sounds like the google mantra

 

21:14:37 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: then again, they sure seem to have a great deal of power now :-)

 

21:15:11 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: we're really talking about empowerment aren't we?? parents often don't feel they have any power

 

21:15:17 plind -> -EdTechTalk: ownership is key - if parents don't feel that they have some sort of ownership (or power if you will) it is hard to put your all behind it

 

21:16:38 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: what an exciting example Larry!

 

21:16:43 cgseibel -> -EdTechTalk: the principal is key in setting the culture. changing the power paradigm. who gets to decide.

 

21:16:57 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I totally agree cgseibel!

 

21:17:23 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hello sarah...welcome to parents as partners...we're talking with Larry Ferlazzo about his new book on "Parental Engagement"

 

21:17:32 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: the book comes out at the end of the month I believe

 

21:17:57 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that is going to be a really valuable book for us!

 

21:18:06 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: http://engagingparentsinschool.edublogs.org/

 

21:18:42 sarah H -> -EdTechTalk: Hi--I saw the tweet and jumped right over--I'm a fan :)

 

21:19:15 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: larry blogs, quite prolifically, over here: http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/

 

21:20:00 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Larry is my "go to" person for relevant, fabulous web 2.0 resources! He has so many "best of" lists that are great!

 

21:22:04 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: how is it delivered to parents (Parent University)?

 

21:22:53 plind -> -EdTechTalk: love parent university -- and esp the fact the parents get to learn things relevant to them

 

21:23:39 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it makes so much sense!! we need to be asking what they want/need much more often!!

 

21:23:58 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: welcome to PAP Alec...talking with Larry Ferlazzo about his new book

 

21:24:04 Jeannine S. -> -EdTechTalk: Parents as an asset rather than as a pain in the butt! I like that.

 

21:24:05 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: welcome plnaugle as well

 

21:24:22 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Hi everybody.

 

21:24:24 courosa -> -EdTechTalk: thanks Matt, got the lowdown from @cgseibel on Twitter.

 

21:24:29 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Paula

 

21:24:54 plind -> -EdTechTalk: so true Lorna -- see great things happening with parents building communities around sports and other activities .. just hasn't extedended to the school

 

21:25:17 courosa -> -EdTechTalk: i'm losing sound, anyone else?

 

21:25:18 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Need to step out a minute will be right back. Hi Peggy.

 

21:25:20 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/09/12/how-to-get-a-discount-when-...

 

21:25:50 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yes a bit of a problem with sound right now--in and out

 

21:26:13 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it's back

 

21:27:30 [email protected] -> -EdTechTalk: I'm getting feedback

 

21:27:59 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yes feedback here

 

21:28:57 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hello kathyI

 

21:29:02 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: keep going with that thought Larry!

 

21:29:10 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: still getting feedback??

 

21:29:15 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: no fine now

 

21:29:18 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: K

 

21:30:26 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that's such a helpful point! could teachers ask parents for their input during a P/T conference--about their needs?

 

21:30:38 plind -> -EdTechTalk: there isn't much that replaces conversation ... though through experience online does it always need to be face to face?

 

21:30:43 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it's easy to ignore a survey

 

21:31:04 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: surveys are hard to write as well.

 

21:31:16 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: people can get survey fatigue quickly

 

21:31:56 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: @plind--good point but we also probably need to ask them what's the best way to communicate with them? all don't have internet access but probably all have cell phones :-)

 

21:33:04 plind -> -EdTechTalk: @peggy -- true .. really noticing in the past 6 mo a real strengthening of communities through FB ... very interesting trend happening esp with the advent of fan pages (esp when used the way Matt's school uses them)

 

21:33:05 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: and how does that work Larry when you don't teach to the test explicitly?? how do the students perform?

 

21:33:32 plind -> -EdTechTalk: but if parents say "meet me on FB" not many schools will meet them there

 

21:34:01 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: excellent point about the Facebook fan pages :-)

 

21:34:19 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: @plind...the fan page paradigm is a bit of a game changer-by providing a model where updates appear in your stream the tool becomes pretty useful for getting your info

 

21:34:52 sujokat -> -EdTechTalk: gtg thanks Matt

 

21:35:38 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: chau sujo

 

21:35:41 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: @Larry-do you communicate with your parents in multiple languages?

 

21:35:43 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: thanks for stopping by

 

21:36:05 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: :-)

 

21:36:31 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that was a profound statement!! need to make it a priority for it to happen!!

 

21:36:45 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hello jvirant...welcome to parents as partners

 

21:36:59 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: I take that back :-)

 

21:37:37 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: for more info on larry's book: http://engagingparentsinschool.edublogs.org

 

21:37:44 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: book comes out at end of month

 

21:37:48 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: Hey Scott!

 

21:37:52 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: Welcome!

 

21:37:54 Scott Shelhart -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Matt

 

21:38:09 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: How is teaching degree coming along scott??

 

21:38:20 plind -> -EdTechTalk: @matt and peggy -- total game changer (sorry 4 the delayed response)

 

21:38:21 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Scott-always glad to see you!

 

21:39:18 Scott Shelhart -> -EdTechTalk: Between semesters.  Start again Oct 15.  Got my first B last time. Killed my straight A streak:{

 

21:39:42 Scott Shelhart -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Peggy

 

21:39:47 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: oh no Scott--you should have tapped your PLN :-)

 

21:39:54 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Scott its really not about the grades.

 

21:40:26 Scott Shelhart -> -EdTechTalk: I did use my PLN.  Time management was my biggest issuse.

 

21:40:33 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: God Bless you.

 

21:41:15 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: @Larry-what are the strategies you recommend for dealing with those highly mobile populations where you don't have the students for a 4-year period?

 

21:42:37 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Is anyone else hearing 2 conversations?

 

21:42:54 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: do you have the ustream playing as well as itunes?

 

21:43:20 Scott Shelhart -> -EdTechTalk: Nope.  Do you have both ustream and ETT A running?

 

21:43:47 KathyIshizuka -> -EdTechTalk: Thanks everyone. Will follow up & check out Larry's book.

 

21:43:59 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Guess I did have two things.

 

21:44:08 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: thanks for stopping by Kathy

 

21:44:20 Scott Shelhart -> -EdTechTalk: Ustream is better....less delay

 

21:44:56 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: But volume is lower on ustream.

 

21:45:11 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: how does that work--you stay connected with the parents even though they move out of your school attendance area?

 

21:45:48 Scott Shelhart -> -EdTechTalk: try changing the volume slider in the ustream bar (bottom right). Default is 50%

 

21:46:05 cgseibel -> -EdTechTalk: http://www.industrialareasfoundation.org

 

21:46:39 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: It is all the way to the top and I have my computer's volume on max.

 

21:47:11 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Now Larry just got louder.

 

21:47:59 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: do you find that parents want to be involved in the decisionmaking?

 

21:48:57 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: a school garden is a great idea

 

21:49:01 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: every school should have one

 

21:49:21 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I know that parents definitely rally around issues that are important to them!

 

21:51:18 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: excellent point! if it's a priority it will be sustained!

 

21:51:48 plind -> -EdTechTalk: that is so true -- sometimes try to give what we want to give rather than give what people/parents need

 

21:52:18 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yes!! do we provide parents with what they want or what we think they need?

 

21:53:14 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: but we need to figure out how to find out what parents want/need! (besides surveys)

 

21:53:57 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that is such a great idea Matt!!

 

21:54:42 plind -> -EdTechTalk: @peggyg -- it's what I'm trying right now with wired wednesdays .. adressing the tech need of parents for their needs rather than approaching it "look what your kids can do"

 

21:55:14 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: fantastic plind!! do the parents show up??

 

21:55:49 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: @plind I'm interested in doing training with parents. What are you doing?

 

21:56:36 plind -> -EdTechTalk: I have a guinea pig group right now .. we aren't doing it in the school though -- too much filtering -- but we are having a blast!

 

21:57:07 plind -> -EdTechTalk: maybe once they can see the utility in their own lives .. the jump to the utility for the kids isn't so far

 

21:57:14 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I just watched a great video from the UK where they talked about having a "Surf Room" for parents to come to school to learn to use the technology and to get access to their kids online work! very impressive!

 

21:57:34 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: @plind Do you just let them ask questions, or do you have a game plan?

 

21:58:07 plind -> -EdTechTalk: only had a couple -- so a loose game plan (ie google suite) then see where they take it

 

21:58:41 sarah H -> -EdTechTalk: I get up at ridiculous o'clock, so I've got to sign off but this was great, thank you!

 

21:59:06 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: @plind Can spend a lot of time just with Google apps. I love them.

 

21:59:56 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=oe&catcode=ss_es_fam_02&ri... some great parent engagement videos here!

 

22:00:00 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Larry amazes me with the amount of material he shares with the rest of us.

 

22:00:53 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: thanks all

 

22:01:06 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: as usual, we appreciate your joining us...

 

22:01:19 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I'm really looking forward to Larry's book!!

 

22:01:20 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: we'll be broadcasting live on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month

 

22:01:45 Jeannine S. -> -EdTechTalk: Great way to start the year PasP team.  Looking forward to more!

 

22:01:47 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: I want an autographed copy so I'll have to see Larry.

 

22:02:04 plind -> -EdTechTalk: thanks Larry!

 

22:02:15 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/09/12/how-to-get-a-discount-when-...

 

22:02:25 LangLabCindy -> -EdTechTalk: Thanks, Larry!

 

22:02:28 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: please forward any topic ideas, guest suggestions, etc to us...

 

22:02:30 plind -> -EdTechTalk: hey guys!

 

22:02:38 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: would love to hear stories of success from the field

 

22:02:50 plind -> -EdTechTalk: let us get a few more sessions under our belt!

 

22:02:58 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it's so great to have Parents as Partners back!!

 

22:03:10 plind -> -EdTechTalk: thanks for still doing this cindy Matt and Lorna!

 

22:03:16 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: thanks all!

 

22:03:28 plnaugle -> -EdTechTalk: Thank you everyone.

 

22:04:09 Jeannine S. -> -EdTechTalk: Good night

 

22:04:13 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Thank you Larry!! You're doing some awesome work and we really appreciate your sharing it so freely in your blog!

 

22:04:51 plind -> -EdTechTalk: amazing work Larry -- different challenges -- but always lessons to learn

 

22:05:25 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: there are a lot of grants in Calif for it

 

22:05:47 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that's so true--parents think if the teacher or principal contact them their child has done something wrong! We need to change that

 

22:05:57 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: and NEA/CTA have REALLY pushed it.

 

22:06:02 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yes from Phoenix AZ-Richard Ramos! Fantastic principal!

 

22:06:05 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: Don't expect it for free

 

22:06:16 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: they need to stipend

 

22:06:25 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hey alice

 

22:06:36 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: I didn't see u sneak in there ;-)

 

22:06:51 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: We have parents that refuse visits, but we've met them in parking lots

 

22:07:05 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: My principal is pretty aggressive

 

22:07:06 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: alice, that is a nice way to handle it...

 

22:07:13 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: win win

 

22:07:20 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: non threatening

 

22:07:45 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: when Richard and his teachers went door to door before school opened they didn't reach every parent but they sure reached a lot of them who were very grateful for the visit!

 

22:07:47 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: we do it after school, you have to budget your time

 

22:07:57 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: He has more students than an elementary teacher

 

22:08:15 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: $40 or so

 

22:08:26 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: we're in the same district so it's the same

 

22:08:33 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: it's a state grant

 

22:09:22 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: we passed out fliers to the entire neighborhood for a bbq the week before school, and invited even people (like seniors) that didn't have kids

 

22:09:29 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: at Richard's school they did the home visits on one of the teacher-paid contract days before school started - it was a priority for them and one of their school goals

 

22:09:43 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: Yea that's a way to do it peggy

 

22:09:58 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: or you can visit on parent conferences. I did that in Oakland.

 

22:10:06 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: I went out at night in East Oakland

 

22:10:14 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: and since I didn't see them during day?

 

22:10:37 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: @alice-love the idea of the BBQ and inviting anyone in the neighborhood--not just parents--great community building!!

 

22:10:51 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: Yeah, because they aren't just that snot nosed kid

 

22:11:19 plind -> -EdTechTalk: @alice - that's a great idea to welcome whole community into the school -- the uni my sister works for does the same thing with the neighbourhood around campus

 

22:11:23 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: how long have you been on

 

22:12:22 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: Would you like some links to NEA stuff supporting it?

 

22:12:47 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it's clear there is no "silver bullet" for solutions to parent engagement but as per Larry you need to make it a priority and it takes a lot of hard work!

 

22:13:07 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: http://www.nea.org/home/34090.htm

 

22:13:22 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: They like it because it's a stipend opportunity

 

22:13:33 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: great article Alice!

 

22:13:48 plind -> -EdTechTalk: yes around the child .. but in a way that can integrate easily into the family life

 

22:14:25 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: for us, we could look at getting 18 hour credit (paid time we don't work)

 

22:14:41 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: before school days

 

22:14:57 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: also, move the funding stream from grant to regular part of budget

 

22:15:01 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: very interesting perspective!!

 

22:15:52 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: VERY Traditional

 

22:15:59 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: started right after Labor Day

 

22:16:20 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: Larry loves summer school

 

22:16:28 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: which they will eliminate next year at H.S. in state

 

22:16:34 plind -> -EdTechTalk: thanks for letting me hang with you guys while I did my chores!  it was fun! Bye

 

22:16:39 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: BUT the mid year breaks are a PITA

 

22:16:47 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: my son has 2 weeks off soon

 

22:16:57 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: awkward time

 

22:17:01 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: bye plind! great to have you in this conversation!!

 

22:17:01 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Metaweb

 

22:17:08 metaweb20 -> -EdTechTalk: hi

 

22:17:17 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: IT'll be gone next year

 

22:17:26 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: bye all!

 

22:17:29 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: hey metaweb

 

22:17:51 metaweb20 -> -EdTechTalk: hi matt

 

22:18:47 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: amazing!! student wants to fail a class so he can go to summer school??

 

22:19:01 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: Our district is a dinosaur

 

22:19:20 alicemercer -> -EdTechTalk: has latest start date of any local district

 

22:19:36 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: agreed, Peggy...amazing

 

22:20:08 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I'm sure it has something to do with the cost of extending the school year!

 

22:20:17 matt montagne -> -EdTechTalk: very cool!!!

 

22:20:27 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: wonderful show!! thanks Lorna, Matt and Cindy!!

 

22:20:35 metaweb20 -> -EdTechTalk: Thanks Larry ...

 

22:20:51 PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: bye everyone