What is Washington Open?
Our school has a philosophy of parents, teachers and students all working together in an open, supportive atmosphere. Parent involvement in WO is an integral part of the Open program, where parents are active in the classroom everyday.
How Parents Are Part of the Classroom
- How Parents Support Students
- Common Language at Washington Open
- How Parents Support the Classroom
- Orientation and Training for Parent Volunteers
- How Parents Support Our Field Trips
- Support For Families
- What Your Workday Looks Like
How Parents Support Students
Washington Open believes parent participation is the key to our distinct program. Your presence in the classroom enables small-group learning and ensures that every child has individual help and encouragement.
Our approach to educating the whole child is based on our beliefs about how children learn best:
- Children develop at different rates and have individual patterns of timing and growth. Your first and foremost goal when you begin to work in the classroom is to get to know all the students in your child’s classroom. Being familiar with them as individuals, you will be able to use different methods that allow each child to learn at his or her own pace.
- Each child is a unique individual with a distinct family and cultural background. We expect and welcome diversity, levels of development, abilities, interests, and learning styles. Children learn best when they relate and make connections to what they are learning. Bringing your own experiences and traditions into your conversations with the children helps them to get to know you and listen to what you have to teach them.
- Offering a variety of learning environments allows children to discover the same subject from different angles. Some children learn best visually, some verbally, some by touch, and some by movement. Teachers incorporate a variety of teaching techniques in order to meet the needs of each learning style.
- Children have natural creativity and a desire to learn. When they are active participants in their education, they aren’t just memorizing for the short term, but develop a deeper understanding and it becomes a part of them.
- We believe nurturing social and emotional development complements teaching academics. Both need equal attention and consistency. Every adult involved in our school will learn to speak and interact with students in a way consistent with our program’s philosophy and goals.
- Cooperation and individual progress are emphasized over competition. Success is measured by individual accomplishments, growth, and self-improvement. Children learn to work out many of their own problems through discussion. Conflict resolution and problem solving are highly valued. There are innumerable opportunities for interaction between students.
- We strive for respect for self and others. Our goal is an environment in which everyone is accepted and feels a sense of belonging. The community we build is as important as the education acquired. Throughout the year families will attend training about working in the classroom and other parent education. Part of that is using a common language inside and outside the classroom when you are on Washington Open campus.
Common Language at Washington Open
Helpful statements/questions and redirection comments:
Verbal Statements - Helpful to Parents
- Trust the intentions
- It’s a journey, not a race
- Focus on the process, not the product.
Verbal Statements - Helpful with Students
- “Do your personal best.”
- “Where were you yesterday? Where are you today? Where will you be tomorrow?”
- “I see…” or “I notice…”
(State what you want to see happening -materials ready, body ready, eyes on speaker. Include the student's name.)
- “What can I help with?” “How can I help you?”
- “Your choices are…”
- “What will help make this center/event/activity more successful for you?”
(If child is struggling or frustrated)
- “What could you change if this happens again?”
- “Make good choices” or “Make healthy choices and wise decisions”
- “What could you do differently next time?”
- “You don’t know how to do that....YET!”
(Emphasis on a Growth Mindset)
Nonverbal
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Eye contact
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A gentle hand gesture on their shoulder, back or arm to redirect students.
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Build relationships –get to know the students
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Model with your own behavior– Be in the moment with students. Limit distractions when you are their leader- no cell phone use.
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Calm, confident demeanor
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Smile!
Avoid!
- Embarrassing the student
- Calling out bad behavior in front of other students
- Stating “Don’t do that.” Instead, restate as a positive statement with specific information, "Walk when you are on the pavement."
(It is more effective to state the agreement or what needs to happen- “Feet stay on the ground”- “Walking zone”- “Inside voice.”)
How Parents Support the Classroom
Washington Open’s program was created with the knowledge that the Open classroom is dependent on parent participation from every enrolled student’s family. We have created a culture that is beneficial to your whole family. Your child will benefit from an enriched education. The adults benefit from the supportive community that our program has established, parenting education, and team building skills. With your time and effort, we all can benefit from the Washington Open culture and from each other's skills, experiences and knowledge.
After 50 years of bringing parents into the classroom, Washington Open has developed a parent participation program that is the most effective for working with students, and engaging all parents in the classroom. The following guidelines are what we ask of our enrolled families.
Families volunteer every week in the classroom.
This consistency is necessary to establish connections between students and adults working in the classroom, and for the teacher to be able to plan for the day. If there is a day you are unable to make your work day due to illness or family emergency, we request that you find a substitute, and communicate with your teacher and class coordinator as soon as possible. You can also send a message to your class and see if anyone is available to switch work days with you for the week.
Many of our parents work at full- or part-time jobs. Some have flexible schedules, some make arrangements with their employers, and some have a grandparent or other family member volunteer! Your teacher and class coordinator work together to find the best possible way that all parents who have chosen a parent participation school can have their family contribute.
To make sure all students and our teachers are supported throughout the year, each family is asked to take on a classroom job.
Each classroom job filled by a parent keeps our school strong and running smoothly! Whatever your strengths and talents are, there is probably a need that matches perfectly. Think about what you do well, or what you enjoy doing, and don't hesitate to volunteer. This generous giving of time and talent by the parents is a major factor in what makes our school, and our children, successful!
Listed below are a few examples of the jobs that are available for the classroom. However each teacher will have other jobs unique to their grade and learning environment.
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Class Coordinator |
Field Trip Coordinator |
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Insurance Coordinator |
Class Treasurer |
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Parent Board Rep |
Technology Coordinator |
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Photographer |
Event/Social Coordinator |
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Auction Rep |
Yard Duty |
Orientation and Training for Parent Volunteers
Parents are asked to attend orientation and training sessions to maintain and improve the educational environment that we enjoy and have come to expect for students.
New Parent Orientation
It is integral that each new family attends scheduled orientation meetings, usually held at the end of the school year in conjunction with Annual General Meeting, and then again at the start of the new school year. Families who join after orientation has taken place in late August are responsible for obtaining the covered material from the Board Membership chairperson, and should direct any questions to your Class Coordinator.
Parent Training
All parents, new and continuing, are highly encouraged to attend the essential training sessions scheduled throughout the year. These sessions are designed to improve parent skills when working with all children in the classroom and your own children at home. August training sessions generally take place in the mornings, and are scheduled to repeat several times so that all parents can attend each session. In addition there are several other sessions scheduled in the evenings throughout the school year. The information at these training sessions is important to help you feel prepared to work with all students in the classroom throughout the year.
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For those who may be unsure or nervous about working with kids (besides yours) in the classroom, don’t worry! First, if you are a parent, you are already a teacher! Second, your child's teacher has planned the day's centers and activities, and will provide full guidance on what you will be doing with the students. And third, the teacher is always available to answer your questions or provide immediate support when needed. There are usually plenty of 'veteran' parents nearby to lend a hand as well. Washington Open also provides comprehensive training for working with students in the classroom in the first several weeks of school, before your first volunteer day.
No one is confident working with groups of children at first. We all increase our skills by attending curriculum training and workshops to develop positive techniques for working with children. As your experience grows, so does your confidence.
How Parents Support Our Field Trips
Washington Open has an amazing field trip program, where classes go on multiple field trips throughout the year! We work closely with the district, and over the years, we have developed an organized and safe system for going out into the world.
In Kindergarten, there are usually 8-10 trips, lasting 2-3 hours, and returning back in time for lunch. In the beginning of the year, kindergarten classes start with walking field trips to places such as Mission Library, SCU Athletics, Santa Clara Fire Dept, a dentist office down the street, and the post office. Field trips increase in number and scope as children progress through higher grade levels. Upper grades attend overnight trips that are an integral part to teaching to the whole child, and community building.
But we wouldn’t be able to provide the field trips without parent volunteers! Parents are needed to drive, supervise, and participate on field trips. If a parent is not comfortable driving or cannot drive, they may be able to attend the field trip as an adult rider or 'co-pilot', seats permitting.
No child is ever denied attendance on a field trip for financial reasons. Field trip costs are paid for through two sources:
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Allocations from the Parent Board budget, which is money raised by our fundraising activities
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Donations from families to their own classroom
Support For Families
Families with two or more children may alternate between their children's classes from week to week.
Near the beginning of the school year, you are contacted regarding your volunteer availability and preferences. A typical weekly classroom shift goes from 8:15 a.m. to 12:00pm because that is when small group instruction "centers" typically takes place. However, hours may vary depending on each classroom's schedule. Some classrooms may need parent volunteers in the afternoon as well. Your Class Coordinator will work with you to meet your needs as closely as possible, within the parameters set by your teacher.
What Your Workday Looks Like
Be Present and Ready to Work with Kids:
On your scheduled work day(s), arrive on time and work your full shift. Individual teachers decide at the start of each school year what days and hours they need parents in the classroom.
Sign In/Out:
You will always enter campus through the front office. There you will find a QR code that you can scan with your cell phone and enter needed information. This is required each time you come to volunteer for safety purposes.
You will also be issued an ID badge once your volunteer paperwork has cleared. Please wear your ID badge on campus at all times.
Working in the Classroom:
Your child's teacher will plan the day's centers, and provide full guidance on what you will be doing. Also the teacher is always available to answer your questions or provide immediate support when needed. There are usually plenty of 'veteran' parents nearby to lend a hand as well. Remember that when you are working in the classroom, you are supporting all the students, in addition to your own child!
In kindergarten, the day usually starts with the morning meeting, which goes over the day's schedule, including the centers the teacher has planned with the parents. Center activities are found in baskets that are prepared with all the supplies you will need, as well as instructions from your teacher. Typically, groups of 3-5 children will rotate through your center during the morning, and you will guide them in the activity. If your child's class has special classes on the schedule (i.e. art, music, library, P.E.), the parents typically join the children and help support as needed for the teachers.
If you are unable to work on your assigned work day due to illness, sudden conflict of schedule, or family emergency, it is easy to either swap workdays with another parent in the classroom. Finding coverage is important to maintain consistency for the students in the classroom, and communication is essential for the teachers’ plan for the day.
Parent Dismissal:
Once your workday has ended, the teacher will thank you for your work that day, and let you know that you're all set to go!