A Cord of Three Strands: A New Approach to Parent Engagement in Schools

In Chicago’s vibrant Logan Square neighborhood—where storefront Spanish mingles with wind-whipped rustle of maples—Soo Hong follows a group of low-income, non-English-speaking parents as they ignite a grassroots revolution in their children’s schools. United through the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, they harness induction, integration, and investment like three braided cords that tether families, educators, and community leaders to a shared mission: true Education Equity that lifts every learner. Through richly detailed portraits, Hong shows mothers mastering school-board jargon at crowded workshops, fathers bridging language gaps by translating spirited PTA debates, and elders building neighborhood learning pods that hum with collective purpose. Optimistic yet urgent, her narrative reveals how these parents navigate complex alliances—sometimes clashing with teachers, sometimes steering curricula—to claim their seats at decision-making tables. Their stories sparkle like urban lanterns: a mother securing needed ESL classes, a community leader launching a playground that doubles as a classroom, volunteers guiding art projects that celebrate cultural heritage. Will this powerful coalition sustain its momentum and reshape city education, or will systemic barriers dim their hard-won glow? Learn more and walk beside these remarkable families and discover how a cord of three strands can transform an entire district.