Essential Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Educators: Region 7 Readiness

Winsome M. Sherrier Witter
Aug 25
3 min read

As parents and educators prepare to usher in a new school year, questions abound: Are our schools ready? Are families supported? Are opportunities for youth clear and accessible? At the heart of these questions stood the SRC’s Final Back-to-School Forum — a powerful conversation packed with expert insights, practical guidance, and hope.

Hosted by the Serenity Resource Connector (SRC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Region 7 and giveaways powered by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), the forum provided practical solutions for families and schools alike.

Held under the theme "Essential Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Educators: Region 7 Readiness", the Forum left viewers inspired and informed.

Support for Families: JPS Vouchers

A special thank you to our sponsor, JPS, for providing eight $5,000 back-to-school vouchers through Sangsters and Kingston Bookshop. Families entered by downloading the MyJPS app or following myjpsonline and engaging with SRC via the live forum.

Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Educators: What You Need to Know

Region 7's Back-to-School Readiness

Barrington Richardson, Regional Director, shared Region 7's comprehensive preparations:

Termite treatment across 12 schools
Classroom partitions installed for better learning environments
Teacher and student furniture distributed
Over 240 school leaders trained in policy and instructional leadership
Early literacy training for teachers in Grades 1 to 3

These efforts ensure that both infrastructure and leadership are in place to support successful learning outcomes.

Stronger Home-School Partnerships

Parents were encouraged to strengthen ties with educators by:

Attending PTA and class meetings
Building positive relationships with teachers
Engaging in two-way communication for student success

These simple, consistent actions foster a stronger, more supportive learning environment.

Social and Emotional Guidance for Families

Christine Russell-Lewin, Education Social Worker, provided insight into the emotional, financial and logistical challenges families often face. Her key advice:

Take one day at a time
Use planning tools like checklists
Lean on family and community support
Communicate with teachers and school counsellors

PEAK Readiness: Preparing Young Learners

Chevelle Campbell, Development Psychologist with the ECC, introduced the PEAK framework to assess early childhood readiness:

P: Problem-solving and emotional control
E: Eagerness and enthusiasm
A: Adaptability and attention
K: Knowledge and communication

Practical home strategies included:

Morning affirmations
Evening prep routines
Parental support for bonding assignments

She reminded parents that developmental delays can be addressed early by using the Blue Health Passport and seeking support from ECC or schools.

Alternative Pathways Through HEART NSTA Trust

Zeco Brown, Parish Manager for Clarendon, highlighted several robust training and development opportunities:

School Leavers Training Opportunity Programme (SLTOP) – 1-year paid training with NVQ-J certification
Registered Apprenticeship Programme – No CXC required; training through real work experience
National Service & Empowerment Programmes – Tailored for unattached youth and persons with disabilities
Graduate Work Experience Programme – 6-month stipend-supported placements for university graduates

These programmes are free and often include board and lodging, making them highly accessible and life-changing.

Career Assessments & Guidance

All HEART participants undergo psychometric assessments and career counselling to ensure their chosen paths match their strengths and interests. From personality traits to practical skills, these tools build clarity and confidence in young people.

HEART's partnerships with local schools and community groups ensure the message reaches far and wide, offering assessments in Grade 11 and participating in career days and expos across the region.

Flexible Learning & Online Access

For adult learners and working individuals, HEART now offers over 15 online training programmes, allowing flexibility for personal development without interrupting employment.

Final Encouragement

Each speaker closed with heartfelt words:

"Victory loves preparation" – Zeco Brown
"You are doing well; your child sees your effort" – Chevelle Campbell
"Plan, communicate, and seek support – help is available" – Christine Russell-Lewin
"We are ready to support you" – Barrington Richardson

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Take action now:

✅ Watch the Full Forum Replay to catch every insight
✅ Explore HEART Programmes and speak to a career counsellor
✅ Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher before the term begins
✅ Join us Thursday, August 28, at 8 PM for the Clarendon Higher Education Virtual Showcase