WITH an alarming number of clashes involving students being reported across the island, an executive member of Josephine Glasspole Basic School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has added her voice to the calls for greater parental action and responsibility.

Jheeniel Hibbert, a mother of three who is also an active parent at Alpha Primary School, is urging parents to make a deliberate effort to know what their children are doing in school.

“We all know who they are when they are at home [but] it is often completely different from what they’re like in the school setting. You have to find out who your child is when they think you’re not around.

“I sometimes just turn up at my son’s school and stand at a distance and just observe him. I tell parents all the time, don’t live in denial. Know whether your child is a leader or a follower. That’s the only way you will know how to parent them properly,” said Hibbert.

As an entrepreneur and stay-at-home mom, Hibbert readily admits that there are often not enough hours in the day to juggle all her responsibilities.

She said even with support from her spouse, who is also a hands-on parent, she fights to find balance. Still, Hibbert is adamant that neglecting school life is not an option.

“When your children go to school they spend more than half the day there. You want to make sure they’re comfortable and safe [and] that they’re learning. You can’t do that effectively if you never go to the school,” added Hibbert.

Influenced by her mother, who was always an active parent, Hibbert said volunteering at her children’s schools is one way of serving her community.

The 33-year-old Rollington Town resident insisted that running a school effectively takes a group effort, which should include the business community and parents.

“At Josephine Glasspole we do get some support from corporate Jamaica. Access Financial Services adopted the school a few years ago and has been here with us, helping out from time to time. They have had a positive impact and we’re hoping other companies will come on board. Based on what is happening now in the society, we need all the help we can get to ensure our children are well adjusted,” said Hibbert.

Rejecting the widely held belief that PTAs are mainly for fund-raising, the Convent of Mercy Academy, Alpha, past student devotes time to check in with the principal at her daughter’s basic school every day, assessing the needs of both students and staff to determine where best to apply the limited resources of the parent group.

“Right now we’re working on two projects. One of them is organising a field trip as part of a lesson on transportation. We’re also putting on a pageant for the students and trying to source corporate sponsorship for that. Learning happens in and outside of the classroom and the teachers can’t do it alone. It’s a holistic thing,” declared Hibbert.

She argued that parental involvement is need even more for older children.

“My son is 11 and he will be heading to high school this year. It’s a crucial time for him. I remember what high school was like. As a parent, you have to use those years well. It doesn’t matter whether you have a lot of education or not, or if you come from money or you’re poor.

“There’s nothing more important than being there for your children. It’s not easy. I have goals for my small business. I’m finally registered now, and I hope to expand in the long term. Maybe one day I can adopt a basic school just like Access Financial. For now, I’m doing what I can to juggle everything so that my children don’t get less while I’m trying to make more,” said Hibbert.