At a Philadelphia Charter School, Parental Involvement Includes Baked Goods
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Following its successful "Donuts with Dad" program, a K-8 school in Southwest Philadelphia today held a "Muffins with Mom" event.
Alphonso Evans, CEO of Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School, says beyond munching muffins, the program was purposeful.
"Today is about self-esteem," he told KYW Newsradio. "We feel a lot of our parents suffer with the challenge of trying to get their children to understand who they are."
Deborah Harper was visiting with her seven-year-old daughter Darlena, one of 455 children enrolled in the school.
"It is up to the parents to teach and encourage them to do the right things, so that they can be successful in life," Harper notes.
The parents also got tips on different ways to approach raising their children.
Sheena Thompson had her five-year-old daughter, Zion, in tow for some bonding time.
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"Outside of the home, around other mothers and families, I think we are the examples -- the mothers," Thompson said.
The school's learning model includes single-gender classrooms, because boys and girls learn differently, according to Evans, the CEO.
"We don't just believe that boys need a football in their hands and girls need a rope. The mind is different, even about the way the brain waves and the activities of the brain waves work," he said.
He says single-gender classrooms are conducive to learning.
