November 2025 was marked as “Parents’ Month” in Jamaican school calendars. According to the governmental Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth & Information, “Parents Month is an annual celebration to recognize and honour those parents who have made a significant contribution to our education system and our country.”
The month is celebrated by schools island wide through a variety of fun and uplifting activities involving students, parents and teachers. In light of the recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa, this year’s theme is ‘Stronger Parenting Together’.
At Convent of Mercy, Academy (i.e. Alpha Academy), a Parents’ Tea/Coffee Morning was hosted by the school and catered by a local social enterprise (called “Deaf Can! Coffee”) which provides catering services using deaf baristas. This provided a time for parents to chat with one another over delicious beverages before heading off to work. Afterwards some parents helped to lead classroom devotions with students at each grade level and, later on, after school, parents attended a Parenting Seminar which was led by the school’s Guidance Counsellor.
Jessie Ripoll Primary held a Parents’ Month ceremony (which featured talks, giveaways and performances), where the school awarded two parents from each class who have been supportive and dedicated to, not only their child, but all students in the class. A “Top Parent” was also recognised for their invaluable contributions to the school. Aside from this, the month included fun sports activities and games for parents such as friendly dominoes, spelling bee, netball and football competitions. Furthermore, in the spirit of unity, the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica held a mass which included parents from all Mercy communities at Alpha.
Parents’ Month activities such as these strengthen the collaborative relationship between schools and parents which is vital for the success of any child as they progress through the education system. With the additional needs brought on by the recent hurricane, this relationship must be built upon now more than ever.
