By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com
It's a school that's traditionally struggled to get parents involved, and there are already signs that a new parent mentor program is working.
"There's many children at the school that need some type of academic help, whether it be reading, math," said Principal Juanita Terronez at Ericsson Elementary School.
The group of six parent mentors at Ericsson, mostly made up of low income Hispanic mothers, is giving one on one attention to the students who need it.
"I think I'm helping with the kids, and I'm there to help, but some kids need extra help," said Anita Lopez, mentor and parent of a first grader.
87% of Ericsson students are Hispanic, so there are bilingual and transitional kindergarten and first grade classrooms.
Staff said bringing in parent mentors to help students understand concepts that may not be taught in their native tongue, is extremely helpful.
But it's not just the kids who are benefiting.
"In some ways, it's almost more about the parents," said parent coordinator Margaret Colón.
Parents who are stepping into a situation like the one at Ericsson, often for the first time.
"The goal will be to give them that confidence to go on and do more in their personal life, and it's going to make them better members of the community," said Colón.
Many parents from the model program, based in Chicago, have gone on to continue their education.
In some cases, even become teachers themselves, giving these Ericsson mentors, the same potential.
And the potential to be more involved parents.
"It's something that we're doing for our children," said Lopez.
The same program is also beginning at Hillcrest Elementary in East Moline.
