At Brilla, the foundation of our educational philosophy lies in valuing parents as the first educators. We cherish the belief that no one holds a greater interest in their children’s well-being than their parents. In our commitment to this principle, we forge close partnerships with parents, valuing their input and perspectives. In this edition of The Perch, we sat down with Mrs. Jennifer Lane, a devoted and highly engaged mother of a Brilla scholar and a founding parent at Brilla.
In our interview with Mrs. Lane, we delved into her profound love and commitment to her children and the exceptional educational journey they are embarking on at Brilla. As she shared her experiences, it became evident that Brilla’s prioritization of community and sincere love for the children of the Bronx played a crucial role in shaping a culture of academic excellence and an environment that fosters growth, support, and a true sense of belonging. Join us in discovering the transformative power of a parent’s love and the Brilla community’s impact on shaping bright futures.
Can you share an experience highlighting how Brilla’s community has shown love and care for your family?
One experience that comes quickly to mind happened during COVID-19. During the COVID-19 crisis, Brilla helped families a lot. The school reached out to families to make sure we had food and other things we could not get during the lockdown. Brilla partnered with a local business to deliver boxes of food to families; I received one of the boxes. The school gave families supermarket gift cards and supplies for the children and organized days for food and supplies distribution at the school. I was so grateful for all the help they gave me.
How have you witnessed Brilla’s impact on the community?
I’m a founding Brilla parent, and since the very beginning, Brilla has shown care for the community. The Mott Haven celebration is an event in which they Close down the street, have music, and invite everyone from the community to have an opportunity to experience the school. They also showcase student performances. As a school crossing guard, I often tell other people about it.
What was your first impression of Brilla, and how did that initial encounter influence your love and attachment towards the school?
I was a crossing guard at the corner of Brilla College Prep when it first opened, and back then, Ms. Martinez, a founding teacher at the school, told me, “Do you know anyone interested? We have four spaces available for first grade”. And I said, “Well, my daughter’s going to first grade.” And she said, bring in the papers.” And that’s how I found out about Brilla. I was at the right place at the right time. That’s how my daughter was enrolled, and then my two boys once they were ready for Kindergarten.
How does the experience of love within the Brilla community compare to your experiences with other educational environments?
I see the caring; you could feel it, you feel the love, you can feel the warmth. In other schools, you can’t. I come across many kids because of my job as a crossing guard, and I see and meet a lot of kids from all different charter schools, but you can see the differences between a Brilla student and a student from the other schools in the neighborhood.
In what ways has the sense of love and community at Brilla encouraged you to be involved in your children’s education?
Brilla puts a lot of emphasis on parent involvement, so I’ve been volunteering in this school for a long time; I am a member of the Family Involvement Committee. I go to every Parent-Teacher conference to let my children know I care for them. Another thing about Brilla that I love and appreciate is the parent-teacher communication. A parent can text their child’s teacher, and they will text you back to answer your questions.
Do you have any advice for other parents who might not be as involved as you?
I tell parents to go to the school. You don’t have to be there all the time, but at least try to go to meet the teachers and staff and see what your children are learning. Brilla always had 100% attendance at all the parent-teacher conferences. And that started with us, the founding parents.
We are grateful for Mrs. Lane’s journey at Brilla! It highlights the power of a parent’s love and a supportive community’s profound impact on shaping bright futures. Her experiences underscore the importance of continuous involvement and communication, emphasizing that a united school community is pivotal for the success and well-being of every child.
Brilla Public Charter Schools 