Max Bruner Middle Junior Middle School hosts activity for parents of Hispanic students
By David Triana
Bruner Middle School staff hosted a successful meet and greet event with Hispanic parents on 2 February. The activity was the brainchild of Mrs. Alicia Duhon, Title I English Language Arts teacher, and aimed at the parents and students participating in their English Language Learner’s (ELL) Developing Language class.
The more than 30 parents and students in attendance were warmly received by Principal Heather Graham-Williams and several of her staff as they served a delicious spaghetti dinner and cookies.
“We want to make sure the parents feel comfortable about coming to meet us to discuss how their kids are doing even if they do not speak English”, stated Mrs. Duhon.
Mr. Emilio Cordero Jr., the school’s volunteer translator did a marvelous job relaying the welcoming message from Principal Williams and Mrs. Duhon.
In addition to the socializing part of the activity, Mrs. Duhon provided information on school resources, gave the parents the opportunity to view their kids’ reports and also invited several agencies that provide services that may be of interest to the parents. Among the agencies participating were the Florida Health Department in Okaloosa County, The Hope Clinic, Students Working Against Tobacco and a representative of the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium.
One of the parents in attendance stated, “This kind of event is very important because sometimes, as immigrants, we feel limited by not knowing about some of the support or programs that are available or ways to be more involved with our kids at school.”
Considering the influx of students who fall under the English Language Learner’s category at schools throughout the Emerald Coast, and they are not all Hispanics obviously, it is great to see that Bruner Middle School leadership saw the need for such an activity. Based on conversations with various participants, including the staff, the volunteers from the community (Hispanic and non-Hispanics), and especially the feeling expressed by the parents and students that attended, this type of event is a great way to start a sincere outreach to those parents and kids and more schools should be doing such things throughout the region.
We invite members of the Hispanic and non-Hispanic communities that have ELL students in our area’s schools, to be part of such efforts other schools may be employing and if you think there is a need for your son or daughter’s school to do something, tell them about what Max Bruner school is doing.
