Schools teaching immigrant parents how to be more involved

These parents are learning how important it is for them to be involved in their children's education and schools. DP

written by: Nelson Garcia, Reporter

9NEWS.com: AURORA - While their students enjoy the summer break, parents come to class at Kenton Elementary to learn English, American history, and how school actually works.

"One thing is to let parents know how we teach at school," said Lee Ann Gott, Kenton's Parent Involvement coordinator. "It takes an effort on the part of the school, to make people feel comfortable to come to the school."

Often, immigrant families don't get involved with school. Some blame the language barrier. Other say they don't trust the education system.

Gott said, "In order to get parents and families and the community more involved in the school, we need to find out what they need."

Gott's class is designed for parents who don't speak English. In addition to teaching them the language, she lets parents know what they can do to help their kids with the homework, how to deal with parent-teacher conferences, and how they can help with after-school activities.

"I'm more fluent," said Victoria Silva, who two children at Kenton and has taken the parent class for four weeks. "I try to learn a little more to help them in school."

"Yes, it's very important for me to learn English, so that I can help my children in school," said Fernando Adrian Rivera.

Rivera spoke using a translator, but he said his English is getting better. "Yes, it is very difficult, but very worthwhile," he said.

Aurora School District officials know that some of the parents enrolled may be illegal immigrants. However, under federal law, they are not allowed to ask because school services must be provided to anyone who comes to the public school district.

Besides, Gott said their goal is to create more productive parents, and it is working. "We have a lot of parents involved here at Kenton," she said. "It's so important. It's immensely important and it makes a huge difference in student achievement."

Silva said, "I'm comfortable talking to the teacher and asking about my children, how they are, how they learn."

"Yes, it's very comforting for me," Rivera said. "It's comfortable for me to understand and communicate with teachers."