Family Engagement:From “I Do” to

“We Will”

Loree L. Smith, Ed.S

Coordinator Federal Programs Calcasieu Parish School Board

SPDG DAYApril 21, 2015

Welcome Activity “Table for…,” act as

restaurant host and have families put themselves into groups of two, three, four, etc. Give a topic for quick conversation, about 1 minute to talk. Ring a bell, change groups and topics. Continue for several more rounds.

“Parent” Any adult who is the child’s primary

caregiver: mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, other relative, or legal guardian.

Today’s family structures are very diverse. We all have parents…and most of us

become them. We will use Family/Families

throughout this presentation in place of “parent.”

The goal: Build Relationships to help Children Learn

The goal in working with families---all families, no matter what their culture---is to enable them to support their children in learning. It sounds simple, but in the process of finding innovative ways to understand and include all the cultures of our students, it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of this goal. (Davis & Yang, 2005)

Practical Strategies

Learn about cultures other than our own whenever possible.

Put ourselves in families’ shoes. Look to families as a resource in

solving problems. Bring families’ cultures into the

classroom curriculum.

Barriers to Family Engagement for Families

Time constraints. Transportation issues. Inflexible work schedules. Childcare issues. Financial constraints. Poor school experiences. Language barriers.

Barriers to Family Engagement for Teachers

Time. Lack of training in how to work

with families. Leadership. Funding. Language barriers.

Workshop/Training Practices

Have participants list possible barriers for families and teachers on chart paper.

Discuss/compare results with already composed list.

Share how these challenges were addressed and possibly resolved.

Saying “I Do” to NNPSNational Network of Partnership Schools

June 2005 6 Types of Involvement

Parenting Communicating

Volunteering Learning @ Home Decision Making

Collaboration with the Community

Parenting

I will assist families in understanding child and adolescent development and in setting home conditions that support children as students. I will assist my school in understanding family backgrounds, cultures, and goals.

Parenting: Promising Partnership

PracticesW.T. Henning ElementaryFamily Leadership Night Bell City High School

Family Resource Center

Behavior

Climate forPartnerships

Results for Families

Self-confidence about parenting as children proceed through school.

Knowledge of child and adolescent development.

Feeling of support from school and other families.

Communicating

I will communicate clearly and frequently so that all families understand school programs and their children’s progress. I will enable families to contact me with questions about their children. I will conduct at least one parent-teacher-student conference with each family.

CommunicatingPromising Partnership

PracticesJ.I. Watson Middle

Math with Mom

Washington-Marion HighSpa Day & Breakfast Drive - By

College and

Careers

Math

Results for Families Understanding of school programs

and policies. Support for child’s progress and

responses to solve problems. Ease of interactions and

communications with school and teachers.

High rating of school quality.

Volunteering

I will arrange ways for families and other volunteers to use their time and talents to assist my students at school, in my class, or at home. I will vary schedules to encourage families to attend events, assemblies, and celebrations at school.

Volunteering:Promising Partnership

PracticesLeBleu Settlement

Mardi Gras Gumbo & Talent Show

Moss Bluff ElementaryAccelerated Reader Carnival

Reading

Climate Of

Partnerships

Results for Families

Understanding of the teacher’s job. Self confidence about ability to

work in school and with children. Enrollment in programs to improve

own education.

Learning at Home

I will use interactive homework that enables students to discuss and demonstrate skills at home that we are learning in class. I will guide families to monitor their children’s homework and to discuss report card grades and academic goals with their children.

Learning at Home:Promising Partnership

Practice

John J. Johnson

Fall Into Reading

Reading

Results for Families

Discussions with child about school, class work, homework, and future plans.

Understanding of curriculum, what child is learning, and how to help each year.

Appreciation of teacher’s work and skills.

Decision Making

I will include family leaders from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and other groups on advisory teams and committees. I will offer training for family leaders to develop leadership skills and to represent other families. I will include student representatives when appropriate.

Decision Making:Promising Partnership

Practice

CPSB District ATP Trainings

Results for Families

Awareness of and input to policies that affect children’s education.

Development of participation and leadership skills in responsibilities for activities and in representation of other families.

Collaborating with the Community

I will inform all families and students about community programs and services, and ensure equal opportunities for participation and for services. I will encourage participation to build relationships and strengthen the community in and out of the school building.

Collaborating with the Community:

Promising Partnership Practice

Dolby Elementary If You Teach Them…They Will Grow

(3 time NNPS Partnership School Award Winner)

Results for Families

Knowledge and use of local resources to increase skills and to obtain needed family services.

Participation with others to strengthen the community and to build a sense of community throughout the school.

Recruit & organize families to support the school and students.

Surveys to identify interests and talents.

Provide a Family room with resources. Create flexible schedules for

volunteering and events. Provide transportation, child care and

other languages. Train and recognize volunteers. Personally invite families.

Key Strategies for Teachers

Greet families with respect and interest in their children. Solicit family questions, comments, and advice. Think about homework. Develop “we-ness.” Be prepared with interesting, meaningful information. Be honest … and patient. Be professional … in a personal way. (G. Rudney, 2005) Take “Us-ies” instead of “self-ies”. (L. Smith, 2015)

Saying “ We Will” to students & their families in

Calcasieu

All Title I schools are members of the National Network of Partnership Schools.

Action Teams for Partnerships (ATPs) are in all Title I schools.

All Title I schools develop One Year Action Plans.

All schools must have family engagement initiatives as part of their School Wide Plans.

Resources School, Family, and Community

Partnerships. Epstein, Joyce & Associates

Parents & Teachers Working Together. Davis, Carol & Yang, Alice

Every Teacher’s Guide to Working With Parents. Rudney, Gwen

Reaching the Hardest-to-Involve Parents. Amodeo, Charles & Suomi

Thank you!

Loree L. Smith, Ed.S

Coordinator Federal Programs2423 6th Street (Rosteet Annex)

Lake Charles, LA 70601217-4170 Ext: 2406

loree.smith@cpsb.org