Notes from the Backpack: A PTA Podcast

When you ask school administrators for smaller class sizes or more school counselors and after school programs, we  often hear a common refrain, “There’s no money for that.” So how much money is there exactly and what is it being spent on? We spoke with Dr. Marguerite Roza, Director of the Edunomics Lab to learn about the mystery of education finance. She offers practical guidance on how families can stay informed about their school district’s financial decisions and how they can advocate for the priorities they care most about.

Resources:

• Discover how your school’s spending compares to others by searching in the Edunomics Lab's School Spending Data Hub.
• Curious about more best practices? Read Marguerite’s piece, “Equipping School Leaders to Spend Wisely”.
• Learn more about the Edunomics Lab's Certificate in Education Finance, offered through Georgetown University. The program helps build practical skills to understand, use and communicate about school finance.
• Follow Marguerite Roza and the Edunomics Lab on Twitter at @Marguerite Roza and @EdunomicsLab.

Like this episode? Share your thoughts with us via social media @NationalPTA and by using #BackpackNotes. Be sure to visit NotesFromTheBackpack.com for more resources from this episode.

When your child comes home from school after a lockdown drill, what’s the best way to start a conversation about it? We turn to expert Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez for guidance on these issues. She shares how to have open and honest conversations with children of all ages about lockdown drills, school shootings and all of the emotions that come along with these topics.

Resources:

• Read Edith’s CNN articles, “What school threats and lockdowns are doing to a generation of children” and “Parkland suicide deaths highlight long-term psychological impacts of mass shootings”.
• Read “The Impact of School Safety Drills for Active Shootings” to explore guidance from Everytown for Gun Safety, AFT and NEA.
• Listen to Edith’s podcast, “Las Doctoras Recomendian” and share with the Spanish-speaking families in your community!
• Follow Edith on Twitter at @LaDoctoraEdith and her podcast @DoctorasPodcast

Like this episode? Share your thoughts with us via social media @NationalPTA, using #BackpackNotes. Be sure to visit NotesFromTheBackpack.com for more resources from this episode. 

With hyper-competitive leagues for kids as young as six years old—and hours of practice even during the off season—youth sports aren’t just fun and games. We talked with Jon Solomon, former sports journalist and editorial director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society program, about how families can best navigate this aspect of their kids’ lives. He offers advice for talking with tough coaches and helping your child find balance between athletics and academics.

Resources

• Explore the Healthy Sports Index to learn the benefits and risks of specific sports to help determine the best choice for your child!
• Use the Project Play Parent Checklists to ask yourself 10 questions that will help ensure your child has positive sports experiences.
• Discover more about the benefits of free play in our episode, “Recess – is it just for play?
• Follow Jon Solomon and the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society program on Twitter at @JonSolomonAspen and @AspenInstSports

Like this episode? Share your thoughts with us via social media @NationalPTA, using #BackpackNotes. Be sure to visit NotesFromTheBackpack.com for more resources from this episode.

Your child’s school helps prepare them for academic success, but are they also preparing students for success in life? From your kid’s schedule to the layout of their classroom, many aspects of school life have remained the same for decades. So how can you tell if your child’s school is supporting their long-term growth? Linda Darling-Hammond, president & CEO of the Learning Institute, gives her expert opinion. She shares what signs you should look for to see if your child’s school is fostering their holistic development, and what you can do at home to raise well-rounded lifelong learners.

The college application process can be intense and complex—with many financial challenges for students and their families. If you’ve found yourself asking, “Does my child even have a fair chance at college? And given its cost, is a four-year degree even worth it?” you’re not alone. We sat down with Sekou Biddle, vice president of advocacy at the United Negro College Fund to get concrete strategies and essential information to help you find the path that’s right for your family. We also explored the student perspective by chatting with Nya, a junior at Old Dominion University, who shares how she managed the college process.

Teachers and administrators are striving to engage families in more meaningful ways. How can you partner with schools to best support your child and other students in your community? We chatted with Dr. Karen Mapp, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, about best practices—and what we can do to improve family-school partnerships. She shares how to tell if your school is really dedicated to engaging families and how to create strong, trusting relationships with everyone in the school community.

What questions should you be asking to get the information you need when you communicate with your child’s teacher? Are certain questions “better” than others? We turn to Luz Santana, co-director of the Right Question Institute to learn how to prepare questions that will produce meaningful and helpful answers. She shares how parents can go beyond the typical, “How is my child doing?” to spark more in-depth conversations. We also get her advice on common issues families have and how asking the right questions can improve these situations.

Homework is a major source of stress for students and their parents, but it isn’t all bad. When effective, homework reinforces the concepts that students learn in school and provides opportunities for families to be involved in their child’s learning. In this episode, we speak with Steve Sheldon, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, who offers the information and strategies you need to make homework time more successful in your household. We also hear from Elementary School Principal and PTA leader, Shaneeka Moore-Lawrence on the benefits of homework and what really is the “right” amount per night.

How do you help your child learn to overcome communication challenges and be a good friend to others? We turn to author and parenting expert Jennifer Miller to explore how you can build these social and emotional skills with your child. She shares what it takes to raise a confident child and how you can become a more confident parent. We also discuss how to turn some of your toughest parenting moments into meaningful learning opportunities, and what to look for in schools to know if they are helping your child develop in this important area.