Youth & Education

 

 

 

 

 

PARENT & FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Because parents/ guardians are children’s “first teachers” and families are often the most important determinant in their development, we work proactively with families to provide social supports, design program offerings, and identify community-wide issues that impact our youth.

Parent Meetings

All parents/ guardians of our elementary and middle school programs are required to meet with program staff on a monthly basis.  During these meetings, parents are informed about program developments and volunteer their time or expertise to help plan events.  At these meetings, we also provide access to community resources through our St. Nicks’ colleagues and larger community network; examples include housing workshops, tax preparation assistance, or when necessary, individual counseling sessions and referrals to social service agencies. 

Family Literacy Program

This six-week family literacy program teaches parents techniques to engage their children in reading and develop a true passion and love for books.  It explores children’s literature through arts as well as interactive activities such as board games, family read-aloud sessions, field trips to bookstores, and evaluating and choosing books.  Families also receive scholarships and “Brooke Packs” filled with books personally selected by our sponsor, The Brooke Jackman Foundation, to promote bedtime reading and the joy of literature.  In 2007, St. Nicks began offering this program in Spanish. 

Family Events & Social Gatherings

Together with parents, St. Nicks organizes family events and social gatherings four to six times a year.  These events are designed to promote a community network amongst our families, allow them to enjoy positive and new activities with each other, and give families a break in cooking and planning.  Past events have included bingo, holiday dinners, theatre performances, movies, and dances