San Diego school officials are trying to reach out to black and Latino parents in the district by offering free parenting classes in South San Diego. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has the story.
Parents were treated to a free dinner before an evening parenting class at the Tubman Chavez Community Center in Valencia Park. For years San Diego Unified has offered workshops at a facility in Old Town.
But the district's Eldena Shannon says few black and Latino parents from South San Diego would attend.
Shannon : There's transportation barriers, there's child care barriers at times, and just the stress of everyday life. So we brought the classes to the community.
Shannon offers free meals and child care at this center so working parents can participate. The classes focus on everything from college preparation to behavioral problems.
Valerie Tillman says she's learning to be a better mom.
Tillman : My five year old, I don't know how to handle him. And I don't want him to think that mommy is always yelling at him. So I'm coming here to better work on myself on better ways I can redirect my anger.
The classes are part of a larger effort to get more black and Latino parents involved in their education. District officials believe parent involvement would help to narrow the district's achievement gap.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
