JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Parents and staff from the Child Development Center, the Youth Center and Family Child Care gathered at the Charleston Club for a Parent Advisory Board meeting Oct. 21.
The quarterly meetings allow parents to give their input and provide feedback on how these programs and activities are planned and to communicate information about current events through discussion and guest speakers.
"If a parent needs to ask questions about signing up his child for a sport or ask about general program information, this is where the parent should come for answers," said Linda Caldwell, the Airmen and Family Services flight chief, who provides over site for all childcare services on the airbase.
"The meetings are an open forum," she said. "They are held primarily for parental involvement."
One of last quarter's topics was to inform parents about the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, an agreement among states to ensure an easy transition of military children between schools when their parents make a permanent change of station.
"This ensures that a child will not fall behind," said Delores Phelps, director of the Child Development Center. "When a family moves due to a PCS, the Interstate Compact allows a student to keep his credits and transfer them to a new school."
Other topics discussed included child abuse, bullying and internet protection. A particular concern at the last quarter meeting was home schooling. At this quarter's meeting the Parent Advisory Board was able to shed light on the subject for those interested in home based education.
"You can't just start a home school," Ms. Caldwell said. "It is a process that can't be done overnight."
The process was explained during the meeting and is a perfect example of why the meetings are held, she said.
"We want to ensure that parents receive all the current information about what's going on with their children," she said.
The meetings aren't only important for the parents; but they are also important for the staff and children, Ms. Caldwell said. Every year there is a parent involvement plan that ensures children are receiving all the benefits of the programs, she said. Parents need to know when activities take place, where they are held, and why.
The next meeting will be held in January 2011 and all parents are encouraged to attend, Ms. Caldwell and Ms. Phelps said.