A PROMISING PARTNERSHIP: A Parent’s Role in School Partnership

Head's Message by Dr. Jenn Milam

“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of the parents.” - Jane D. Hull

As we move into our third full week of school, I am happy to report that we are thriving this year! Our youngest learners are settling into routines and making new friends. The middles are connecting with academic content, and we’re already planning our first field trip of the year. The Upper School is buzzing with the new schedule, Wednesday afternoon shared time, and the start of student activities, volleyball games and cross country meets, and a senior class that is showing great leadership on campus! While we are certainly working overtime to ensure your student’s success and positive experience at Winston, we know that we couldn’t do it without the care, nurturing, and support you are providing at home. As your child’s parent/caregiver, you are also their first, and most dear, teacher. 

Like many independent schools, Winston was born out of a dream and a wish for something new and innovative to directly serve the needs of children who learn differently.  Several of those first dreamers and founders were parents of young people just like yours - children who may struggle to read, may learn just a bit differently than was welcomed in the conventional classroom, or who needed a more tailored, small environment to realize their academic, social, and personal goals.  Proving, for certain, that parent partnerships are often the most promising - providing insight, wisdom, and experience to the instructional team and school community. 

Working seamlessly in partnership with a school can be a learning curve, especially for parents new to Winston and independent schools. Rarely in independent schools are parents kept at arms-length, but rather are called upon in many ways to strengthen and bolster the positive impact education and a school may have on a young person. We will invite you, many times this year, to work in partnership with us. Here I offer a few of the ways you can support your student, while also supporting the work and wisdom of Winston. 

Be ready to learn, each day!

Starting the school day, on time, calm, collected, and with all required materials is one of the best and easiest ways to help partner with us. We know that mornings can be hectic and that not every day will be perfect, but your effort to have your student on campus, ready to learn each day, is a gift beyond measure for us and helps us start the day on a positive note. 

Take care of yourself! 

It goes without saying, but is always worth repeating, that regulated and well adults enable regulated and happy young people! It can sometimes seem counterintuitive to take care of yourself first, but oftentimes, it is essential. Many of our young people need a little extra TLC or patience to manage all the things they are managing - school, peers, activities, family events, siblings - and when you are balanced and centered, the likelihood that they will be is much higher! 

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! 

My rule for parents is this - if you think about something more than once, and it gives you pause or keeps you awake at night, please reach out and let’s talk about it. Too many times in my years of leadership, a parent has been reluctant to share a worry, a critique, or a sticky-wicket (that’s a fancy word for a grumble or complaint) because they don’t want to “be that parent” or they fear upsetting someone at the school. The truth is, that most issues can be ironed out and resolved with conversation and partnership, very easily. Conversely, if you hold it in, keep it to yourself, or just let the issue grow, the solution gets harder and further out of reach and then feelings of frustration, resentment, or isolation result - none of which are good! So, if you need to share something, please reach out. We’re happy to connect and collaborate to ensure we’re all working toward the same goal. 

Share your time - when you can! 

As I shared at the PTO meeting, there are going to be plenty of opportunities for you to volunteer, join in activities, fellowship with Winston parents, and be on campus. You are welcome here, and we look forward to seeing you. We also know that many of you work outside of the home, in addition to the family work you do, and so the opportunities are just that - opportunities, not obligations. We hope you’ll find a place to be with other community members in a way that connects your passions and talents with school. 

Be positive and open to learning!

There will inevitably be times when we hit a bump in the road or disagree. A partnership isn’t always easy, but in the moments where we solve problems together, reach a compromise, or try something new - we all grow. Ultimately, our goal is to serve your young people to the very best of our abilities and to use our expertise, experience, and energy toward that goal. And while we may not always agree, one of the best things you can model for your student is how to learn, to grow, and to try something new. After all, we’ll learn from you, too. 

And I want to thank you all for entrusting your precious children to Winston. And more, to thank you, in advance, for your genuine, thoughtful, and intentional partnership with Winston this year. We are a team - and it’s been said, “TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!”

Be well and take care of one another!