LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Educators say parental involvement in a child’s education is crucial, and a Lima elementary school is taking steps to help make that happen. Independence Elementary recently hosted a “Lunch and Learn” for kindergartners and their parents.
The sessions aim to provide parents with tools and guidance to continue educational activities at home. The school’s instructional coach prepared packets containing magnetic letters, dry-erase pages, flash cards, and other materials to support at-home learning.
Parents attending the event said they came to show support for their children. Tyrone Cross, whose daughter is in kindergarten at Independence, said, “Just to show support and let her know that in any endeavor that she encounters through her life, that I’m always going to be there, even if she doesn’t see me, I’m going to be one step behind her. Always.”
Melissa Sweeny, Independence’s instructional coach, emphasized the importance of parental involvement. “Parents are the foundation of that learning. Reading starts at home, so if we can get them to practice those skills at home, that will just help them get further ahead in school,” Sweeny said.
Independence Elementary plans to hold these Lunch and Learn sessions monthly, focusing on different grade levels each time.
