Main Street School Parents Learn a Lesson in Character Building

Many Irvington parents have expressed appreciation for the 's unique setup of housing only fourth and fifth-grade students in one building. Now Main Street School faculty and administrators are pushing this uniqueness one step further, holding workshops for parents to help their children transition more smoothly into junior high and high school...and ultimately into adulthood.  

On Wednesday night, the Main Street School's "Site" committee—comprised of parents, teachers and administrators—held its first of two annual events to educate parents and further strengthen the bond between school and home.

"The skills we are touching upon tonight are skills we work toward each day with the students," said school principal Dr. Raina Kor, referencing such concepts as social awareness, self management and awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making.

The more than 75 parents who attended  were treated to a presentation by Dr. Audrey Gelfand, who specializes in character development.

"It's important for kids to identify their emotions versus just stomping their feet," Gelfand said, helping parents understand that even 9 and 10-year-olds are mature enough to express emotions verbally. 

Gelfand went on to speak about the importance of equipping students with skills in problem-solving, warning parents "not do the work for them, but help kids figure it out through guidance." She also cautioned parents to not be dismissive of their children's emotions, stating that "what may not seem like a big deal to us could mean the world to them."

As the evening progressed, parents seemed to gain more insight into their own relationships with their children, with one parent saying: "Being a Mom is something you learn how to do each and every day."

In addition to workshops for parents, the Main St School also holds monthly character-building assemblies for the students, during which two classes each month put on a presentation for the rest of the school addressing issues such as: bullying, behavior expectations and other social skills. Last month's assembly addressed empathy and helping others who are in need.  

If all of these formal sessions on character building were not enough to make the Main Street School's philosophy clear, perhaps taking a walk down to the cafeteria would help—where, upon arrival, to your left and right stand two giant trees painted on the walls.  The trees are called "Character Building Trees" and their are based on five essential questions that are asked daily of the students:

1. What is ownership?
2. What is Fair?
3. What makes a community?
4. How is inaction action?
5. What defines who we are?

Teachers periodically ask students these questions and their responses are written on the leaves. By holding forums like the one on Wednesday, teachers and administrators hope to encourage parents to reinforce the skills they teach their students every day.