Arturo Guzman summarized in a few sentences what the majority of Latino parents what for their children.

    “We want them to be successful people, to be outstanding people in our Latino society,” he said. “I put myself as an example, for my son to be better than I, so that he can have a good job and a better life.”

    Guzman said that for their children, Latino parents migrate to the United States, work very hard to give them what they need and to get them ahead.

    He is one of a group of 34 Latino parents who graduated this week from a parenting class offered by the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) at Sweetwater High School in National City.

    The classes focused on helping parents to have a better relationship with their children and also to help them with school work, with the goal that all young people can go to college.

    “Even if I wanted to help him, I did not have the tools to help my son,” Guzman said during his speech to his classmates. “We believe that these courses were of great benefit to us as parents.”

    Martha Carranza, one of the graduating mothers, said that until she took these classes she did not know much about education in this country.

    “If a parent is informed, he or she knows how to better guide their children,” she said. “We finally know about all the challenges that our children have to go through to reach the university. The aim is that our children succeed in school and in life.”

    The PIQE parenting classes last nine weeks and is free. It provides tools for parents to help their children with their studies, to get along with each other and to know the U.S. educational system.

    Carlos Robledo, associate director at PIQE, said that in the coming weeks there will be graduations in other schools in southern San Diego County, including San Ysidro High School, with 100 parents, Castle Park High School, with 60 parents, and Mar Vista Middle School, with 50.

    Instructor Francisco Estrada, who teaches parenting classes in the morning shift, said that if more Latino parents “put their batteries on” as these graduates, the educational situation in our community would be much better.

    “We really need more parents involved as you,” he told his students during the graduation ceremony at Sweetwater High School.

    The teacher in the evening shift, María Rosa Ponce, acknowledged the efforts made by all parents to attend classes after work or making the time to learn.

    “I want to heartily thank the effort made,” Ponciano said. “They were always motivated, although many came straight from work. Hopefully in a few years you will call us and tell us that your children are professionals.”

    Jonathan Cardenas, whose mother, Maria Castro-Cardenas, was one of the graduates, said he is proud that his mother participated in parenting classes.

    “I’m glad she’s supporting me,” said Jonathan, who is a senior at Sweetwater High School. “It means she’s committed to my education.”

    There were also young people who attended the parenting classes to learn the steps to follow to get to college, as Jeny Montiel, who is a senior at Sweetwater High.

    Sweetwater High School Principal Roman del Rosario said that only through education we can achieve great things.

    “Latinos are going to make history, let’s get ahead through education,” said the principal

    Ponciano said that through education, Latino families have “an open door to a better future.”

    To learn more about programs for parents at PIQE, call (619) 420-4730 or visit piqe.org.