Beyond the school gate…The legacy of the Jesús T. Piñero school in families

By: Neysha M. Murphy Cottes

School Transformation Coordinator

The model of School and Community Transformation that INE invites schools to implement includes the enrollment of families as an essential element to achieve said transformation.

Family enrollment is the concept used to define family participation and integration, and how the Montessori public school should do it. This includes the participation of families in school assemblies, in making decisions that have a significant impact on the school and its operation, in the constitution and active participation of families in family committees, volunteer activities for the benefit of the school, among other elements.

To achieve this, the Montessori public school is very aware that families cannot remain at the school gate; They have to come in. There is a vote of confidence by families, and mutual parenting between teachers and families. The history of INE as a community project attests to the power of families to ensure that the school fulfills its most basic social function: the development of a child or young person.

The Jesús T. Piñero Montessori school in Caguas has integrated families in a very creative and inspiring way. Among a busy attendance of families, staff and school allies, on May 23, 2024, school staff held the 3rd Family Summit under the motto: The transformative power of education.

The event held at the facilities of the Centro Criollo de Ciencia y Tecnología del Caribe, known as C3Tec, in Caguas, had several emotional moments. Through the presentation of slides with photos of each new family, it was possible to verify their names and history. Each family had the opportunity to express their experience and feelings regarding the school, highlighting their trust in the school staff to educate and support them in the development of their sons and daughters. Some families of graduates from the school highlighted the positive change in it.

As an example of the ties between families, and at the request of the school director, it was heard out loud: “I am your support network." These words came from the group of families that has been in the school the longest and were addressed to the families of new entry.

The summit celebrates the achievements of the entire 2023-2024 school year. Among these, the success in the implementation of environmental initiatives, improvements to areas of the school, the integration of allies that support the needs of the school and the community, the success of the support program for pregnant women, the transition of student Alberianys Z. Lebron Ramos, among others. “In short, a morning full of achievements and celebration of Authentic Montessori,” highlighted school director Edgar Febles.

The Family Summit marks the beginning and strengthens the school-family relationship and, together with other elements, allows said relationship to be successful over time. We congratulate the school community for their dedication in holding this event, and for believing in transformation through families.

Families within the school community are necessary for the optimal development of children and young people, and of our country. Families and their proper integration into a Montessori public school make School to School a better Puerto Rico.