My name is Oumar Ly. My children are in second grade and fifth grade.
Looking back at this school year, as a parent I’m happy my kids were able to go back into school and be in person for their learning. I see the difference in my kids’ learning compared to last year. They are able to focus and receive the help they need compared to being online.
As a truck driver, it was hard for me to be involved in my kids’ schooling this year, but I made sure to always check up on them. I would always preach to them the importance of education and the paths it would lead them to.
My wife doesn’t speak English very well, but my brother who’s on top of the kids’ education is always updating me on their progress in school. I know my oldest son is a math genius as I hear from my brother and the teachers. I know he struggles with reading and writing English because we only speak to him in our native tongue.
Also, my kids are also involved in the ALG tutoring program, which they attend weekly. As a parent who has never been to school, it’s hard for me to help my child with his schoolwork and most of the time I rely on my brother to help them. I know this year the ALG tutoring program was very beneficial to my children. I spoke to the tutors occasionally and they let me know the progress of my kids. I think it helped my kids a lot this year.
In terms of communication with the school, they send stuff in the mail which I rely on my brother or my kid to translate for me. I’ve been to the school a couple of times a year for parent-teacher conferences.
The teachers reached out often this year, which I think was great because it helped me know my kids’ progress. I believe as parents it’s important to be involved in our kid’s education because education starts at home.
I can say I am proud of my kids and they did an amazing job in school this year and as parents that’s what we want for our children.
