Parents of Color/PTO Mission Statement: The mission of the Parkway Parents of Color PTO (POC/PTO) is to support the Parkway School District’s diversity and inclusion efforts and initiatives. The POC/PTO will accomplish this by:
1. Providing consistent opportunities for the parents of Parkway students of color to meet, network, and share best practices in successfully guiding their children AND themselves to a positive and productive experience in Parkway.
2. Providing the school district the POC/PTO as a resource of ideas, perspectives, and experiences as Parkway strives to maximize its diversity and inclusion efforts.
PARENTS OF COLOR PTO FAQs
What is POC/PTO?
POC/PTO is a district-wide organization comprised of parents of children of color (by definition this would be any non-white parents), who are predominantly African-American parents and Caucasian parents of African-American children. Non-white parents of all ethnicities are welcome to attend. It is a resource and support group for parents to share strategies and concerns they have when their students attend a school where the majority of the teachers and administrators do not look like them. Because of the small percentage of parents of color, this format provides a place for families of similar backgrounds to “find one another”, network, and share resources for their children’s success (like PACCD for parents of children with disabilities).
What questions/topics are discussed?
Parents have had questions about the process of getting their child tested for gifted, financial aid opportunities for college, how to be successful in advanced placement and honors classes, being proactive in bridging the school-home divide, the absence of teachers and administrators who reflect the ethnicity of their children, etc. When specific questions arise, Parkway administrators are invited to speak at the meetings. Some of the district administrators who have addressed this group are the Director of HR, Executive Director of the Alumni Association, Superintendent, Coordinator of Gifted Education, PE teacher, Special Services Psychologist, and several others.
Why aren’t these parents attending their school’s PTO?
Many of these parents attend their school’s PTO as well. However, some parents do not attend the school’s PTO because of timing of the meetings, lack of perceived warmth and feelings of isolation when they have attended, topics do not pertain to their children’s educational experiences, etc. Each member understands that he/she is the liaison between the POC/PTO and their school’s PTO. Also, the President of the POC/PTO now has a permanent place at the table at the Parkway School District’s monthly PTO Presidents Board meeting.
How do families find out about POC/PTO meetings?
This happens differently in schools. We are in the process of changing the photo on the front of the handout because it only has African-American families and the POC/PTO is for all non-white parents of students in Parkway. The parents that have attended in the past have been African-American parents, parents of bi-racial students, and white parents of African-American or bi-racial students who have been adopted in most cases. At the beginning of the school year, families of color receive mailed invitations, emails, and phone calls to inform them of the meeting dates and times, as well as the topic for discussion at the upcoming meeting. Students receive fliers to take home from their building’s DIA representative as well. Subsequent communication is done through fliers being emailed to parents who have expressed interest, been recruited by other parents, and have attended a previous meeting. Information about POC/PTO and sign up opportunities are offered at Parkway gatherings such as the picnic this summer at Tower Grove Park, parent meeting at the City Museum, Summer of Fun event, Spirit of Excellence, etc.
Is there a “best practice” for disseminating the information about an upcoming meeting?
Yes. It is better received when the DIA reps and the administrators speak with the students, informing them of the program and its goals prior to handing out information so that students can communicate effectively with their parents.
Why do some African-American parents become offended or irate?
The title “Parents of Color” seems to conjure up the subconscious memories that go back in history long before these parents were even born when African-Americans were referred to as “Colored People” and was considered a negative term. The confusion between these two terms becomes painful for many reasons. While talking to many of these parents, it is evident that they are still dealing with some internalized racism issues of their own. Just when they thought they had become part of the mainstream, they begin to feel they are being forced back into a time of inequality and segregation. Subconsciously, they are thinking, “Why are they separating us out from Caucasians again?” There is an embedded message that says they learn best when they are with Caucasian people.
What do I say to these parents who are having difficulty?
A reminder of the number of organizations that have existed for decades such as, The Black Caucus, organizations of Black Engineers, Lawyers, Accountants, Teachers, Social Workers, different Hispanic organizations, etc., helps them to understand that POC/PTO is similar because there are certain issues that are specific to people who have some specific similarities. Also, a mention of the reason we have the PACCD is to bring together a group of parents who have children living with a disability who can share information. The most important thing you can do is to listen and understand the reasons for the irrational thoughts parents might be having. It is not about separating but more importantly, differentiating.