Family Engagement Strategies Federal Grant Programs Conference October 23, 2017

South Shore Charter Public School Sheina Prince, Teacher Ted Hirsch, Title I Director

SSCPS Family Engagement Do Now: What does “Family Engagement” mean to you and your school community? Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Here is what we already know…... Studies show: When families get involved in the life of a school it promotes academic achievement. 2. Family engagement increases family literacy. 3. When families feel engaged students are less likely to be absent. 4. Family involvement builds trust in the school and creates a stable well- rounded community for the students. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

SSCPS Demographics This year’s new Students Year FY 12 FY 13 FY 14 We've enrolled (265) new students: 1st Language English = (157/ 59%) 1st Language Not English = (108 / 41%) Our current, total enrollment is (926): 1st Language English = (635/ 69%) 1st Language Not English = (291/ 31%) Year FY 12 FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 First Language Not English 0.4 8.5 19.1 21.0 22.1 27 Students with Disabilities 12.2 13.3 14.5 16.2 14.7 15.7

What does Family Engagement looks like at SSCPS? *Literacy Night *African Heritage Night *International Food Night *Volunteering for class activities and projects. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Literacy Night On Literacy Night families and staff are invited to read, often in their native language, to students and families. It is a fun and interactive night where the children and parents travel from room to room dressed in their favorite pajamas enjoying familiar stories and new folktales. Literacy Night is truly an enriching experience for all who participate. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

International Food Night Even the preparation for International Food Night encourages engagement from multiple parties at our school. *Families *Faculty/Staff *High school students All come together for families to share their cultural food with the community and put on performances that highlight the different cultures represented in our school.

African Heritage Night African Heritage Night is where families of the African Diaspora are invited to come and teach about their background to all families. It is informative and we get a deeper look at our students culture and how it shapes our community. As a school we learn and grow stronger after evenings like this.

Parent Volunteers At SSCPS we organize and recruit families as well as community members to help support learning and development. Parents take part and run FIT Community members take part in our workshops and projects. 3. The library managed by parents and grandparents.

What is our end result? *Families that care. *A school that understands its student body. *A community that and learns and grows together. “Tell me and I may forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn!” -Benjamin Franklin

Malden Public Schools Janice Raymond, Title I Director

Agenda Family Connection –Breakfast Workshops –Family events –Parent Academies –Summer Events Community Connection - Cable Television - Newspapers - Monthly calendar & newsletter Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Family Connection Breakfast Workshops ~ Introduction to Title 1 •5 topics ~ Introduction to Title 1 ~ Assessments and Questions to ask at Teacher Conferences ~ Math Connecting School and Home ~ Literacy ~ Summer Slump Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Family Evening Events In the evening Drummer Bingo for Books Family Game Night Story Teller Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Parent Academies 4 Academies this year One school Children 3 and older-free babysitting Children fed and entertained Informational for Parents Cambridge Health Alliance Part 1 Cambridge Health Alliance Part 2 Literacy Math Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Rainforest Reptile Show

Key Club Volunteers

Summer Events Kindergarten Summer Activities Two nights Summer Enrichment Program Incoming kindergarten through grade 6 Summer Reading Events

Community Connection Monthly Articles in the local newspapers Local Access Television Monthly Calendar

Questions Janice Raymond Director of Literacy & Title 1 Malden Public Schools jraymond@maldenps.org