<html><head><title>Bilingual parents get educated on education</title></head><body>This article was mailed to you by: <b>Francis Hult</b><br>The sender included this message:<br><br>Click to <a href="http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_3636483">View this Article</a><p><font size='3'></font><p><center><font size='5'><b>Bilingual parents get educated on education</b></font></center><p><font size='4'></font><br><font size='2'>DAVID JAMES HEISS , Staff Writer<br>Redlands Daily Facts<br></font><P><font size='3'><!-- body start --><p>REDLANDS-It does a parent no good to drag their kids kicking and screaming to Grandmaıs house. <p>The kids may dread going to their grandparents for several reasons: most likely, theyıre bored at Grandma and Grandpaıs. Grandparents donıt usually have Playstations. <p>"The biggest mistake as parents is that we donıt always listen to our children," said counselor Lorena Tejeda during a bilingual parent conference at Kingsbury Elementary School Wednesday, sponsored by the school districtıs English Language Learner Advisory Committee. "When we listen, they learn to listen." <p>Tejeda suggested that, instead of ignoring childrenıs complaints of disinterest in going to, say, Grandmaıs house, that parents stop and listen for a moment to the full reason, so that an intelligent response can be formulated. <p>"Respect how they feel," she said. "Acknowledge how they feel: I realize you donıt want to go to Grandmaıs. Why is that? Is it because youıre bored? What can we do about that?" <p>Also, Tejeda said, "You need to stick to the rules you set. If TVs not allowed after someone says a bad word, the same rule needs to apply to you." <p>Tejedaıs workshop was one of several offered at the conference, the first of its kind in the district, and was targeted at bilingual parents to address issues or topics that they wished to learn more about, according to district director of categorical programs, Yolanda Contreras. <p>Workshops were also conducted about the California High School Exit Exam, using the Internet and salsa dancing, and were led by educators and parents. <p>Kathy Jeide, principal of Lugonia Elementary School, conducted workshops on what parents should look for in parent conferences about their children and what to look for in progress report cards. <p>She explained that, based on state standards of where students should be at certain times of the year depending on their grade level, determines how well they do on their report cards. <p>Each elementary school classroom, she explained has a poster displayed that defines the educational goals for that grade level. <p>For instance, the third-grade classroom she was lecturing in had a focus poster exhibiting the goals for third-graders to achieve by the end of third grade: in number sense, students should be able to count, read and write whole numbers up to 10,000; identify place value for each digit and compare group whole numbers using symbols. In measurement and geometry they are expected to estimate the area and volume of a solid. For word analysis, fluency and vocabulary development they should know how to use complex word families (such as the suffix "ight") to decode unfamiliar words; use knowledge of antonyms, synonyms, homophones and homographs to determine the meaning of words. <p>They are the standards that students are judged, though report cards also reflect studentsı efforts in speaking, listening, study skills and social skills - from whether a student "expresses ideas clearly" and "listens respectfully" to "completes homework; follows directions; uses time wisely." <p>"Itıs important for parents to know whatıs going on with their children," Jeide said. "These are benchmarks that allow a teacher to show studentsı parents how far along the students are in reaching these standards at the end of each trimester." <p>She encouraged parents to be involved with their childrenıs educations. <p>"Communicate with the teacher and keep in perspective where theyıre at in the standards," she said. "One of the best ways to communicate and know whatıs going on with your children is to volunteer in the classroom." <p>During the conference, Gardena-based East West Books had a bilingual book fair, promoting dual language books in a multitude of languages from Navajo and Hindi to Vietnamese and Urdu. Their publications can be found on www.eastwestdiscovery.com . <p>Reyes L. Quezada, associate professor of school leadership and education sciences at the University of San Diego, was a keynote speaker for the conference. <p>Quezada, husband of Judson & Brown Elementary School principal Cynthia Quezada, talked about the importance of surrounding children with positive role models and caring adults. <p>"Children must have positive attitudes and expectations," he said, "and opportunities for success," and explained that, while his father - a hardworking man who he saw only a few times a year - was hardly ever home, he and his siblings were surrounded by supportive relatives who taught trust, respect and responsibility. <p>Azusena Urquijo, a Clement Middle School and Redlands Council PTA member, was one of the conferenceıs attendees. <p>"This has been an opportunity for me to get Spanish-speaking parents to get involved and see all the programs that are available to kids," she said. <p>Contreras was happy with the attendance of their first conference for bilingual parents. <p>"I was pleased with the support of the parents and teachers in providing opportunities for our Redlands parents to participate in this event," she said. <p> <p>E-mail Staff Writer David James Heiss at <a href="mailto:dheiss@redlandsdailyfacts.com">dheiss@redlandsdailyfacts.com</a> <p> <p> <p> <p> <p><!-- body end --><p>This e-mail was initiated by machine [10.148.8.5] at IP [10.148.8.5].</font></body></html>