The city school system is facing lots of changes over the summer and the school system's new top parent officer sat down with NY1 Education reporter Michael Meenan Thursday to share how she plans to make sure parents are kept abreast of the changes. "I'm looking for volunteers,” said Department of Education Chief Family Engagement Officer Martine Guerrier. “I'm looking to build an army of support for our public schools, because there's a lot out there to get done; it's clear we can’t do it alone."
Three months into her new role, Guerrier says her mission is clear: figure out a way to mobilize parents to include them into the city's efforts to reorganize and improve the public school system.
Guerrier, who was dubbed “chief mom,” says parents should not be put off by her title.
"I am part of the chancellor's senior leadership and when we are having those policy conversations I weigh in quite heavily on the side of the parents," she explained.
As a public school mom herself, with a son currently in middle school, Guerrier says she understands what is important to parents. "Student achievement, how to help my child do better in school, where can I go if my child needs help in school and it's not being addressed in the building [are key issues],” said Guerrier.
Some parents are also still stinging over last winter's controversial bus re-routing plan, as well as the cell phone ban.
On Thursday at DOE headquarters, parent leaders were able to directly question Guerrier at a meeting of the chancellor's Parents Advisory Council. Those questions mostly centered around the school reorganization plan, set for next month, and how it would affect parents' ability to communicate with school officials.
Currently New York City public schools are broken up into ten regions. Under the new plan, those regions would be replaced by 32 school districts – each with a district superintendent.
After the meeting, parent leaders had a mixed response to what they heard.
"It's the nature of her job that she speaks for [the DOE], but she seems to understand the needs of parents more than others that have had that job,” said one parent. “So we'll see; the jury's out."
"She talked today about giving out Kleenex and cookies,” said another. “I want information. I want real guidance. I want facts."
Guerrier says that's exact what parents will get on Saturday at her first big citywide town hall meeting in Brooklyn.
She says it’s not too late for parents who have not yet signed up to attend. Doors open at 10 a.m. at Brooklyn Tech High School in Fort Green. Free child care will be provided for those attending the event.
But Guerrier says parents don't need to wait until this weekend to reach her.
"Leave me a voice mail message, 212-374-6587,” she said. “They can send me an e-mail at askmartine@schools.nyc.gov .”
