This evening

Carly presented this morning so well I will not play a double feature but this evening was also incredible. The focus was on participation and after a presentation from Daniela, the pedagogista at the Iotti school, the one I was fortunate enough to have visited, they had invited a panel of parents to talk about their experiences. I was definitely watering up hearing them speak about the personal growth and the opportunity to be a bigger part of not only their children's school, but their lives. They were a diverse group with many stories to tell about school. The all felt the welcoming process was priceless to their involvement and involvement in the school had taken them to a higher plane within the community as well.
Class meetings are the first step and parents can work with the whole staff (even cooks and cleaning people) to discuss projects and outings and even discuss opinions.
From these, parents can move to the Early Childhood Council, a group of parents selected by parents in which each school is represented. This group meets about 6 times per year. They meet with other city wide parent groups, community members, politicians and even interview candidates running for political offices to share their educational views.
They feel first the are the parent of the child, then they are a parent of the school and become a parent of the community.
A quote by Carla Rinaldi,
"The aspect of participation is an educational strategy that characterizes our way of being school and doing school. The participation of children, families and of the teachers, not only "taking part" in something but "being part" of something is the essence, the substance of a common identity a "we" which comes alive through participation."
So much more but such a late night.......
Spent much of our time working on Blog security when we got back......had a breech!
Ciao for now!