The Oceanside School District began a month-long, districtwide “Let Grow” campaign on Dec. 1, a K-through-12 initiative that rallies educators and families around a goal that is simple but sweeping: helping children become more confident and resilient by encouraging them to do more for themselves at home and in school.
The campaign is based on the work of Let Grow, a national nonprofit based in New York City that makes the case that children are stronger and more capable than contemporary culture assumes. The organization promotes independent play, real-life problem-solving and activities that help kids deal with stress and reduce anxiety.
Diane Provvido — the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and research and the chair of Parent University, the Oceanside parent-educator committee behind the initiative — said the message of Let Grow resonated deeply in Oceanside. Parent University’s community discussion last year on the book “The Anxious Generation,” by Jonathan Haidt, which explores how smartphones and social media undermine children’s well-being, sparked community-wide motivation to help young people.
“It was one of those moments where parents, teachers, administrators — all of us — recognized we’ve got to figure this out,” Provvido said. “At the end of the day, we’re recognizing that independence is not just a skill that happens. We have to cultivate it.”
Every two years, the district surveys parents on what support they need most. This cycle, Provvido said, families overwhelmingly asked for help managing social media, anxiety and the pressures of modern childhood.
“In having the Let Grow campaign, it is going to help out kids become more confident, more capable,” Provvido added. “Honestly, being independent is also a protective factor against anxiety.”
Each school in the district tailored its Let Grow activities to its students. Elementary schools created “independence bingo” boards and morning-announcement challenges, and PTA groups are holding sessions to explain the campaign to families. Tasks for younger children range from making breakfast for their family to doing their own laundry.
At the middle school, the focus shifts to adolescent self-advocacy. “They’re doing workshops on what advocacy looks like,” Provvido explained. “If you have trouble with homework, how could you approach your teacher bravely instead of having one of your parents call?”
Oceanside High School is intertwining Let Grow with its existing “independence inventory” and the school’s popular “adulting panels,” in which experts and alumni teach practical skills. Students will be able to select skills they want to learn, such as banking basics or how to change a tire.
Much of the work happens at school, but educators stress that the shift is mostly a home-based one, focused on changing routines, expectations and habits.
“Parenting has changed since I was a kid,” Provvido said. “Community thrives when parents — the community itself — teachers and educators work together in the best interest of our kids and help them to be their best selves.”
For Erin Marone, principal of School No. 2 and a mother herself, the campaign has been eye-opening.
“This Let Grow movement, not only as a principal but as a parent, is helping me realize we have to give our children these responsibilities,” Marone said. “Yes, it’s easier if I do it, but how are they going to learn?”
She said she hopes families embrace the long view. “We think about the amount of students who graduate and go into the workforce, college, trade school,” Marone said. “We need to prepare them for success, and that’s what we’re hoping Let Grow will slowly develop.”
She added that the campaign’s timing intentional, saying, “We’re giving a holiday gift that is invaluable.”
Oceanside parent Tara Stromer, who also works in the district and serves on the Parent University committee, said the initiative addresses a conflict many parents feel.
“As a parent, we often struggle with the realization that our kids are growing up and we need to allow them to become more independent,” Stromer said. “But we still have that inner need to care for them and keep them safe.”
Stromer hopes her children — Ryan, 16, and Jesse, 13 — learn that independence doesn’t mean going it alone.
“When children are successful in new endeavors, it boosts confidence, but they also need to make friends with failure, to not be afraid that certain things may take time and practice to succeed at,” she said. “Developing independence can truly have an impact on feeling more confident, having higher self-esteem and more self-worth. To me, that is growing up strong.”
For many parents, the campaign is prompting its own kind of reflection — recognition that nurturing independence is as much about their growth as their children’s.
“You’re not a bad parent for giving your child independence,” Marone said. “You’re helping them.”
Stromer echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how the gift of independence is a gift for both parties. “It will allow us to diminish fears of letting go, watch our kids thrive and maybe have some help around the house,” she said. “Letting grow is also a bit of letting go.”
