Judge Glenda Hatchett, a syndicated TV personality, laid down the law to St. Croix parents of school-aged children Sunday. Under the Judge’s order they are to do the three Cs, be concerned, be consistent, and cheer their children on.
Almost 125 people attended the second annual Back to School Parental Conference at St. Croix Educational Complex auditorium. Organizers hoped the house would be packed, but it was not. Hurricane Earl was bearing down on the Virgin Islands and parents might have been at home getting prepared.
Dressed stylishly, Hatchett was a real dynamo as she moved back and forth across the stage. The audience clapped, laughed and said “yes” when her words struck home.
She told the audience that to be a concerned parent they need to keep watchful eyes, ears and hearts on their children.
She encouraged parents to use all their senses and their intuition. She said to watch what happens in school and not wait until their report card shows up. Parents should write a note to all their children’s teachers letting them know they are concerned parents. She said to watch what their children are doing and who they are doing it with.
“You got to be all up in their business,” Hatchett said as the audience laughed and clapped.
Regarding consistency, she said “no means no – today, tomorrow, and the next day.” She emphasized that parents be clear with parameters and rules in their house.
“You are the parent, set clear rules,” Hatchett said.
She told about events in her childhood and the strict rules her parents set while she was growing up in Atlanta in the 1960s.
And she urged parents to cheer for their children.
“Cheer for your children even when they fall and stumble,” Hatchett said. “Help them get up and encourage them.”
She got 14 teens involved up on stage and had them tell what their dreams were.
“Everybody has a dream with their name on it,” she told the students after they told what they wanted to be. She said children who focus on dreams are less likely to get caught up in messes.
The TV judge, whose show aired original episodes from 2000 to 2008, suggested parents hook up with her online parenting network – Parent Power Now.
Other guest speakers were V.I. Superior Court Judge Darryl Donohue and Byron Garrett, CEO and speaker for national Parent-Teacher’s Association.
Donohue said parents are full-time educators, all the others are part-time. He said young men are becoming an endangered species.
“They don’t think before they act – they just act,” Donohue said. “We have to teach them to communicate as men and not fight to resolve their differences.”
Garrett told the parents not to be their child’s friend, “you are to be their mother and father.”
Hatchett, author of “Dare To Take Charge: How To Live Your Life On Purpose,” and Garrett, author of “ABC’s of Life,” autographed their books with $5 of the purchase price going to the local PTA.
St. Croix District Superintendent Gary Molloy said the schools are charged to educate and they can’t do it all. He said they want to make sure all are involved from the beginning, parents, teachers, administration, and students.
The conference was coordinated by Janet Brow of the Department of Education School Community Relations office.
Delegate Donna M. Christensen also spoke about being a PTA president and parenting.
