PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION

A Parent Coordinator Settles Into new Role

By HEATHER HADDON

This is the first article in an occasional series about the new parent coordinators in local schools. These new positions for parents are part of the massive system-wide reorganization efforts making their debut this fall.

Judith Espinal is wasting no time in stepping into her new role as parent coordinator at PS/MS 20 on Webster Avenue in Norwood. She's already answered parent questions about dismissal times, child evaluations and the new extended day on Tuesdays. Parents have called her cell phone (issued to her by the Department of Education) as late as 9 p.m. and on weekends.

"I went to the bank the other day and got at least seven calls while I was there," said Espinal, 26, who lives with her family in Bedford Park. "The parents need this obviously."

Espinal has made herself readily available to respond to parents' big and little concerns. A worried parent called the other day asking if the Webster Avenue school had a lost- and-found. "Her daughter had just lost her lunch box," she said.

Every morning at 8 a.m., Espinal starts her day in front of the school as parents drop off their kids. "The parents can see me outside with my little notebook," she said, flipping through a composition book. "That way I can deal with their problems on an immediate basis."

Espinal then moves on to her office, a bright and colorful room that she shares with the school's parent association. There's always coffee available, and plenty of materials, for those who drop by.

"I take a lot of pride in this room," said Espinal, walking past bulletin boards entitled "inspiration," "seasonal," and "our kids' work." Stopping in the corner, she picked up her "parking lot," as she calls a metal box housing suggestions. "Everyone's ideas and concerns count here," she said.

Espinal is working on partnering with local agencies to provide additional resources for parents. Starting later this month, Morris Heights Health Center will conduct a 10-week public seminar on parenting skills at the school, with morning and evening sessions. She also hopes to offer workshops on how to help children do their homework, and whatever other programs parents are interested in.

Espinal is also doing her best to get new parents involved with their children's education. "Parents in our community have so much talent," she said. "The kids can benefit from that."

Espinal has been working closely with parent volunteers at the school, who often work in the classrooms assisting teachers. She is drafting a schedule for the roughly 30 volunteers now involved.

Espinal's efforts are being noticed. "Judith provides a lot of resources," said Frances Roché, a second year volunteer whose child attends third grade.

With three children of her own, Espinal is certainly busy. Her background in education --at a private school, with autistic children and as a tutor --helps. But it's her love of people that really carries her through.

"The other day I helped a parent whose child was mistakenly put in the first grade," she said. "The look on her face made my day."

Espinal can be reached for PS/MS 20 questions on her cell phone at (347) 562-4793 or in her office from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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