Family Engagement: From “I Do” to “We Will” Loree L. Smith, Ed.S Coordinator Federal Programs Calcasieu Parish School Board SPDG DAY April 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 NNPS National Network of Partnership Schools June Types of Involvement Parenting Communicating Volunteering 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 Practices W.T. Henning Elementary Family Leadership Night Bell City High School Family Resource Center Behavior Climate for Partnerships

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.

Communicating Promising Partnership Practices J.I. Watson Middle Math with Mom Washington-Marion High Spa 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 Practices LeBleu Settlement Mardi Gras Gumbo & Talent Show Moss Bluff Elementary Accelerated 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 Programs th Street (Rosteet Annex) Lake Charles, LA Ext: 2406