BISD's Perry Eaton committed to "getting the word out" to parents

Wanda Nichols Photo LEARNING ABOUT TAKS -- It was all fun and games at the Brownsboro Junior High Tuesday night during the school's TAKS Carnival held to inform parents what can be expected on the test. Pictured: Lisa Huffman (left) picks a duck from the frog pond. The number that appears on the bottom of the duck will be the problem number Mrs. Huffman's daughter 7th grader Callie Huffman will work out of a released 2004 TAKS test under the guidance of BJHS advanced math teacher Gin Privett (right).

When Perry Eaton began working as the Brownsboro ISD Parent Involvement Coordinator last October, he got right down to business setting up the groundwork to "get the word out" in order to involve parents in every aspect of their children's education.

"Parents don't always know what their child needs to succeed in school," Eaton said. "The stronger we build the family, the better on the students. "

Jumping in feet first, Eaton has already held several informative workshops and meetings for parents, and has many more in the works.

"There's a bunch of neat things we got going on," he said. "The key is good information, fresh information."

Wanda Nichols Photo ESL PROGRAM FOR SPANISH SPEAKING PARENTS -- Nearly 30 Spanish speaking parents of ESL (English as a Second Language) students attended an ESL program at Brownsboro Intermediate School Monday night. The purpose of the program was to educate the parents on the programs offered their children in the Brownsboro school district. Parents received information on after school tutorials, TAKS testing dates and how to prepare their children for the test, summer school, graduation, and other pertinent information to help their children become successful. Pictured: Ms. Beatriz Ibarra, who occasionally substitutes for the school district, served as translator for the evening.

With TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills) test dates swiftly approaching, several school campuses are holding a variety of events to inform parents on how they can assist their children in preparing for the test.

One such event was the Brownsboro Junior High TAKS Carnival Tuesday evening. In a fun atmosphere, booths and games were designed to show parents what will be expected on the test.

"The Principal, Mrs. Larkin; Assistant Principal, Mrs. Stephens; and Student Support Services, Mrs.Simmons came up with a fun way to explain the purpose of TAKS as well as show what the tests are like," Eaton said. "This is taking things out of the box with parents."

On Monday, Feb. 5, parents of Chandler Intermediate students are invited to attend the TAKS/SDAA (State Developed Alternative Assessment) Parents Night at 6pm, in the school's cafeteria. Once again, parents will be provided with information regarding testing and how they can help their child prepare.

To break the language barrier, nearly 30 Spanish speak- ing parents of ESL (English as a Second Language) students attended an ESL program at Brownsboro Intermediate last Monday evening. The purpose of the presentation was to educate parents on the programs offered their children in the Brownsboro school district. Parents received a plethora of information on TAKS testing dates and how to prepare their children for the test, summer school, graduation and other pertinent information to help their children become successful.

Another project in the works is the "Worth the Wait" abstinence based education program for 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade students. The curriculum based program will take approximately 10 class periods, 45 minutes in length, to teach.

The curriculum is designed as an all-inclusive unit on medical, legal, psychological, and socioeconomic information regarding teen sexual activity. Worth the Wait empowers adolescents with the information to help teenagers make the safest, healthiest choices and to remain abstinent until marriage.

Eaton has planned several parent meetings for their input on the program, and letters have gone out to all parents of students involved. Permission slips signed by parents will be required before students can attend the class.

Meanwhile, Eaton is also working on redesigning the school district's website in order to post all pertinent information necessary for a parent to help their child succeed in school. Once complete each teacher will have their own web page to display lesson plans, and other information for parental perusing. Parents will also be able to communicate with their child's teacher via email.

New to the website will be the implementation of the Safe House program, which Eaton said Henderson Co. Sheriff Brownlow has endorsed.

"Parents will log on to the BISD website, click on a few links, and promise any parties held at their home will be drug- and alcohol-free, and any weapons will be locked away," Eaton said. "Parents commit to being at home, when their children are having parties."

Parents can also log on to view a list of parents committed to the program.

On the elementary school level, Eaton is implementing a Reading Right program through the Literacy Foundation Empowerment, for all Pre K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students and their parents at both Brownsboro and Chandler elementaries.

"Parents and their children will attend a seminar, and each family will receive a free parent guide and how to effectively read to their children," Eaton said.

Seminar dates will be posted in the What's Happening column of this newspaper once they are set.

Eaton said he plans on establishing a volunteer program that will be a vehicle for retirees and others to volunteer on the elementary through high school levels to assist on all campuses.

"Our goal is not to have them assist in making copies but to assist in the learning process," he said.

Although he has a degree in education, Eaton served as a minister in Athens for 15 years. When an opening at a college fell through, he applied for the Parent Involvement Coordinator position posted on the Brownsboro ISD website.

"Not a lot of schools our size have a full-time parent coordinator; it's most larger schools that have them," Eaton said. "But Mr. Caldwell (BISD Superintendent Elton Caldwell) wanted to make the commitment to the families and students in attacking this area of need."

Eaton has also made the commitment to the families and students of the Brownsboro school district.

"It's fun and exciting," he said. "It's neat to be here. I enjoy the challenge of coming up with plans to help parents."

Eaton can be reached by calling 903-852-3701, or by email at eatonp@brownsboro.k12.tx.us.

The BISD website is www.brownsboro.k12.tx.us.