At a Glance
Each year, Cosmetology students at the North Montco Technical Career invite a parent, or another relative, into the program for a day of pampering during which the students provide various salon services.
Overview
In order to encourage parent participation in their students education, the North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) cosmetology instructor created the Pamper Parents Day. On this day, parents (or another relative) are invited into the classroom to receive salon services from their child. Such services can include manicures, pedicures, hair styling, haircuts, and stone facials. The day usually is scheduled for the week before winter break begins.
Origin / Implementation
The cosmetology instructor first started Pamper Parents Day in 2009 to provide parents an opportunity to visit NMTCC and observe and participate in their childrens education. Prior to starting this event, she found that parents often had limited opportunities to become involved in their high school students education.
On this day, all the students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a positive environment. The instructor mails out a formal invitation to the parents and typically, 90 to 95 percent of students parents attend. Those students for whom a parent is unable to attend are able to perform add-on services, such as manicures, pedicures and facials on the other parents. Because the students work as a team, no student is left out.
Parents are welcomed to come in at a time that is convenient to them. Once they arrive, they select which services they would like to receive.
Results / Impact
The cosmetology instructor reports many positive outcomes from hosting the Pamper Parents Day. The event helps create a stronger relationship between the program and parents, and it helps parents understand what their children are learning and doing in the classroom.
Additionally, the instructor observes an apparent increase in confidence among students who provide services to real clients rather than manikins. She also thinks student participation in this event contributes to helping students successfully complete the State Board Certification. Full-time students are now experiencing a 90 percent success rate compared to a 70 to 80 percent success rate in prior years.
Due to the success of Parent Pamper Day, the NMTCC Parental Involvement Committee and the administration are working with other teachers to identify and develop strategies to incorporate similar types of activities into their programs.
Contact
North Montco Technical Career Center
Nicole Lucas, Cosmetology Instructor
nlucas@nmtcc.org
