Engage families
Why
it matters
Our students’ families are the most important out-of-school influence on their academic achievement and success. Every family brings unique experiences, cultural knowledge and strengths to our schools. Every family engages with their student’s school with the gifts they have to share. Authentic family engagement goes beyond involvement. Meaningful engagement with families is based on their strengths. Families have multiple ways to connect and are partners in decision-making, with reciprocal feedback and communication.
How
we do it
Adopt a family engagement model that honors the diversity of our families. The model will support methods for reciprocal communication, decision making and input on our schools.
Establish ongoing advisory committees with students and family members to engage and inform the school board. These committees should include, but not be limited to:
Students and families of color
Students and families with disabilities
Students and families who are English language learners
Students and families experiencing poverty and homelessness
Students and families with highly capable students
Students and families who are highly mobile or in foster care
Create a Language Access Plan and a Disability Access Plan, analyzing needs of limited English proficient and disabled students and families, strengthening access to materials, services and participating in decision making and meetings.
What
it looks like
Families are meaningfully engaged in their students’ education and school. They share their strengths and participate in decision-making and reciprocal feedback and communication with the school district.
Educators meet each family where they are at and share strategies and ways to support their students. Educators provide multiple ways for families to communicate, give reciprocal feedback, and engage in shared decision-making.
Community members and organizations partner with families and schools to provide support, resources, and services for families.