Brooklyn Scholars Charter School recently hosted a successful and engaging parent event entitled Donuts with the Deans: Motivate and Educate in Grades 3-8, which targeted families of students in these crucial grades. The event, hosted by Dean Peta Kelly (grades 3-5) and Dean Clodette Jean-Louis (grades 6-8), was well-attended and offered parents invaluable insights into school operations, student expectations, and ways to partner for success.
During the event, parents learned about the importance of safety in our school through detailed explanations of safety drills and dismissal protocols, specifically highlighting our use of PikmyKid, a secure dismissal management tool. Communication was another key focus, with Dean Kelly and Dean Jean-Louis demonstrating the functionality of School Connect, the app we use to ensure parents stay informed. Families also received information on how to access the Parent Handbook, reinforcing the importance of staying connected to school guidelines and expectations.
One of the highlights of the morning was a fun and informative mini fashion show, where students modeled our uniform standards, emphasizing the role of dress code in fostering a professional and focused learning environment.
Chronic absenteeism was addressed as each dean spoke passionately about the issue within their respective wings. Families were encouraged to partner with the school to improve attendance, as regular presence in class is critical to academic achievement. Dean Kelly and Dean Jean-Louis discussed strategies to support consistent attendance, from better morning routines to communication when issues arise.
Dean Kelly took the opportunity to invite parents and guardians into the classrooms to observe live instruction, offering a transparent view of their children's learning experiences. Meanwhile, Dean Jean-Louis added an interactive twist—having parents simulate changing classes, just like their students, as they rotated to different tables. Here, they participated in actual lessons with some of our standout teachers: Alieca Hermonstyne (ELA), Jessica Gonzalez (math), Siara Rosario (science), and Ezra Boyce (social studies).
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with parents completing surveys expressing a desire for more events like this on a regular basis. They noted the value of being actively involved in their children's academic journey and appreciated the hands-on experience of what classroom learning looks like. Board President Kevin Clark was also in attendance to support the event.
The success of Donuts with the Deans is a testament to the power of collaboration between school and families. We look forward to hosting similar events monthly to continue strengthening these essential partnerships.
Great work connecting with families, Brooklyn Scholars!
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About Brooklyn Scholars Charter School
Brooklyn Scholars Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Brooklyn, New York, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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