Late in August as the outside temperatures crept above 90 degrees, dozens of local Latine families gathered in the Northfield High School cafeteria for the third annual TORCH back-to-school night. The goal of the event was to engage and connect Spanish-speaking parents and their children to the programs and resources available to them at the middle school, the high school, and in the community.
“This was the largest event so far. We had ninety-one students and family members and over twenty staff and volunteers that made the evening a success,” said High School TORCH Director Tessa Kiesow. “It’s nice to see that the numbers have grown and that the families are engaged and wanting to learn about these opportunities. Early intervention is always a good thing!”
The event was based on research conducted during the pandemic by StriveTogether, a national network of about 70 communities striving to achieve racial equity and economic mobility (including Northfield Promise). The research showed that a gap existed between school expectations and what Spanish-speaking parents understood about how school functions. Many parents wanted their children to stay in school and graduate from high school, but they weren’t sure how to support that goal. By facilitating parent and staff connections, the back-to-school event helps families become more familiar with Spanish language resources available in the schools and gain a better understanding of how to support their students at home.
Participating in the event were TORCH staff from the high school and middle school; members of the Growing Up Healthy Parent Child+ team; and representatives from the Northfield Area Family YMCA, HealthFinders Collaborative, and ACES (an after-school math program at the middle school). Camila Donoso, the Spanish-speaking school psychologist at the high school, and other Spanish-speaking staff helped families fill out forms and download important technology resources, like Schoology and Skyward, to help keep up with their children's assignments. Families also enjoyed a free catered meal and received a $25 gift card for school supplies.
To learn more about the TORCH program or to make a donation, visit northfieldtorch.org.
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