Dobbs Ferry Locals Set to Host Parent Book Chats

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – The Dobbs Ferry Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is organizing the upcoming Parent Book Chats in the community so local parents can have more one-on-one face time with superintendent Lisa Brady. 

The book chats will be based around the book “The Global Achievement Gap” by Tony Wagner, which Brady read with the board of education and now encourages parents to do so. 

“This is really exciting, this is new this year,” said PTSA president Lisa Ferrara.  “It’s kind of the realization that what kids had been learning in school and being tested on aren’t skills that are necessarily going to make them successful in this new world.”

Wagner’s book is one that Brady said is an important one in terms of furthering education in the near future. 

“I am keenly interested in hearing parents’ thoughts on Wagner’s “Seven Survival Skills” that he believes are vital in the 21st century workforce, and what you think makes the most sense for our district and students as we continue to grapple with the challenges facing our schools within the larger context of the demands of the global economy,” Brady said in a message sent out to parents.

The book chats will be hosted in local community members’ homes with groups of 10-12 and will focus on excerpts from the book and related topics in the school district.

“I’m really excited that Lisa is so open to having the conversation with community members in such small intimate situations,” Ferrara said.  “I think it’s really a way to bring the community together and make them feel like a part of the process.”

Brady said since she arrived in Dobbs Ferry, there is a need to integrate technology in the classrooms and new methods of teaching and learning to make sure students are where they need to be.

“Simply stated, the global achievement gap is the gap between what we are teaching and testing in our schools versus the skills all students will need for careers, college and citizenship in the 21st century,” Brady said in the message to parents.

Dates and further information on the book chats, which begin in early November, can be found on the school district’s calendar.

What do you think about the superintendent meeting with parents to discuss this book and related topics?  Join the conversation and leave a comment below.  Remember to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more updates on your community.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Rivertowns and receive free news updates.