SERVICES
The English and Immigrant Family Literacy Program in the Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET) provides free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses for adult English language learners who have children in the New York City public school system. Generous grant funding from the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation allowed CIET to create the Connecting Immigrant Parents to Schools Project. This online resource project addresses some of the major barriers impeding greater immigrant parent participation in the New York City school system.
RESOURCES

English Resources for Parents and Teachers

NYC Public Schools

For Parents

HISTORY OF THE CONNECTING IMMIGRANT PARENTS TO SCHOOLS PROJECT

A core group of committed CIET immigrant parents attended weekly sessions on school-related topics to address the project goal of gathering content material for this ESOL-level website geared towards immigrant parents. Project participants surveyed other immigrant parents in their communities to find out what content they would like to see on the website. Project workshops included visits from current students who are members of their local parent associations, who shared their insights on immigrant parent engagement.

In an effort to promote autonomy on the part of immigrant parents, participants researched workshops or relevant meetings being offered for parents within local schools. They attended those meetings individually or in small groups, building upon the knowledge gained in workshops and the contacts made during school visits with parent coordinators and school staff to post online the most up-to-date and useful information and resources for their peers. Participants also developed a list of useful resources with solutions to common school-related problems, tips on becoming involved and specific school information.

By means of this online resource, it is hoped that immigrant parents might take on more active leadership roles in their child's education by volunteering for their child's school, attending parent association meetings, participating in school leadership teams, and eventually enrolling their kids in higher education.

Phone:
(718) 482-5460

Email:
ciet@lagcc.cuny.edu

FAQ

How do I know if a school is good?

View the school’s progress report at http://schools.nyc.gov/Accountability/default.htm.

How do I choose the "right" high school for my child?

Safety and the commute are two of the most important things to consider when you choose a high school.

Ask yourself:
Is the school safe? Do I feel comfortable in the neighborhood where the school is located?
Is it easy for my child to commute to this school?
Also, apply for a school with high academic performance. Good reading and math scores come before specialties (technology, business, art and design, etc.).

What can I do if someone is bothering my child at school?

Tell your child that if someone is bothering him/her at school, she/he should speak to a teacher, guidance counselor, dean or another school official immediately. Sometimes children (especially boys) feel embarrassed to tell someone that they are being bullied because they think they cannot defend themselves. Let your child know that he/she has nothing to be embarrassed about.
If you know that someone is bothering your child at school, speak to the guidance counselor or dean.

How do I know if my child is doing well in school?

Make an appointment with your child’s teacher. You can meet with your child’s teacher any time if you have any questions or concerns.
Visit http://schoolsstg.nycenet.edu/Accountability/resources/aris/default.htm to see your child’s progress. To do this, you need your child’s ID, password and your e-mail address. Ask your school’s Parent Coordinator for the password.
Read the booklet “ Great Expectations” to learn what your child is learning and what you can help your child succeed in school. You can search the New York City Department of Education’s web site at schools.nyc.gov for more information, in English and other languages.

How can I sign my child up for a tutoring program?

To inquire about tutoring, speak to your Parent Coordinator. For more information visit the New York City Department of Education’s page on supplemental education services at http://schools.nyc.gov/RulesPolicies/NCLB/default.htm.