Liz Hofreuter-Landini, Head of School at Wheeling Country Day School, made a presentation on Parent Education at the ISACS Annual Conference.

1. Parent Communication Education
It Takes a Village
Liz Hofreuter-Landini
Wheeling Country Day School, WV
lhlandini@wcdsedu.com

2. In a world where “word of
mouth” is our bread and butter,
beware …

3. …the role of social
media

4. …and its tools

5. When everybody is a
journalist…

6. …this happens

7. …and homework questions
are public

8. …and editorialized
In response to WCDS doing the World Peace Games

9. …and class photographs

10. …are taken out of context

11. …even on Halloween

12. We need to get out ahead…
 Not just because of “the message”
 But because parental influence matters

13. Parent Affect on Learning
Square Root of Kids’ Math Anxiety
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/24/square-root-of-kids-math-anxiety-their-parents-help/?_r=0

14. Math stress: There’s an app for that
Science, October 9, 2015, p. 196

15. Academic Socialization
 The attitude toward learning and school in which a child
lives at home.
 But it doesn’t always have that name…
 Parents want an “education” for their children that
resembles what they knew…so when they are anxious ask
what school or friendships were like for them
 American parents want academic success, athletic
success and social success

16. John Hattie from Visible Learning
There are many opportunities for parents and educators to mold
dispositions that aid rather than hinder learning, such as
 Developing the child’s willingness to engage in learning
 The degree that a child aims to enhance his or her reputation that
can be gained from being engaged in learning
 Helping the child attribute success to effort rather than ability
 Developing in the child a positive attitude toward learning

17. Patrick Henry High School
Parents: Do This!

18. Philosophical anthropologist in the
room
 The Head’s job
 Look at the artifacts…
 Progress reports
 School schedule
 Newsletter
 Posters, fliers
 Parent meetings
 Homework, projects
 What does this imply about what more could be
possible?
 Given this…what message are we sending?

19. What does this say to parents?

20. And this? - daily Schedule

21. “Homework” directions…

22. “Homework” directions

23. What
else?What works at
your school?

24. Will it really make a difference?
 An army of advocates talking “on point”
 An improved focus on learning at home
 And ultimately in the student’s engagement
 In teacher awareness

25. Meta-cognitive thinking
“When we innovate, we are more aware of
what is working and what is not… we have
heightened awareness of the effects of the
innovations on outcomes.” – Hattie
Let’s try something new.
Thank you.
lhlandini@wcdsedu.com