School Administrator's Clip File • September 23, 2020
Empower bilingual parents
While many parents have questions about how best to help their children with assignments, bilingual parents often wonder which language they should use to provide that help. Many parents who speak English as a second language want their children to learn English as quickly as possible. They believe that the best way to make that happen is to provide all instruction (including help with homework) in English.
Researchers say this is not the case, however. According to the experts, students who become proficient in their native language first are more likely to then become proficient in English.
Encourage parents to work with their children in their native language and explain why that is important. Then, provide them with the same clear suggestions that you would provide to any English-speaking parent. (If possible, identify other parents in your school who can serve as informal mentors to bilingual parents.)
Keeping students and staff safe
As schools take steps to safely reopen schools, the Centers for Disease Control has developed four strategies for K-12 school administrators to use in order to protect students, teachers and staff:
- Promote behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19.
- Preserve healthy environments.
- Maintain healthy operations.
- Prepare for when someone gets sick.
Schools should work with state and local health officials to determine how to implement each of these considerations and adjust them to meet the specific needs of their local community. Download a copy of the CDC’s Considerations for K-12 Schools: Readiness and Planning Tool at niswc.com/SACF_CDC.
Did you know?
55 million K-12 students are out of school nationwide due to the coronavirus pandemic—and 9.7 million of them lack reliable internet service at home.
—Data Bridge K-12
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