Family Engagement Project ELL 433 Sarah Carpenter

Culture Night at Lynden High School Free event in the cafeteria of Lynden High School. There was a selection of different foods from around the world made by students and families as well as donated by local restaurants. There were performances by local children including songs sung in different languages and cultural dances. This event was put on by the First Generation Club of Lynden High School.

First Generation Club Created by students after attending a conference at WWU Initial goal was to encourage and support students to become the first in their family to graduate high school and attend college Because of the population of students, the club also strives to encourage cultural awareness and diversity

Who benefits from Culture Night? Who seems to get most involved? Club members get great experience organizing and running an event Traditionally not a group of students who would organize school events Engaging with community by asking for food donations Receive positive feedback from teachers and community members that increases confidence Families of club members benefit by being involved and attending the event Most families generally hesitant to attend school events Welcoming atmosphere and culturally diverse offerings make them feel more comfortable Families are asked to donate food which gives them a personal connection to the event and a chance to share their culture

What has the success been of programs like this? Attendance of more then 200 people to the event Only the third year this event has been held and the second year of First Generation Club running it Very high attendance of a population that doesn’t normally attend events No other program like this in the district

How does the district/school communicate with families? Skyward Access online system that includes a messaging system and allows parents to look up important documents and records Vice-principal and other staff members speak Spanish and make phone calls to families Home visitor/advocate also works with Spanish speaking families Rely on volunteers for Russian and Punjabi Drop in parent meetings ELL teacher helps teacher make differentiated lesson plans that address their ELL students Staff at the high school will receive training in Sheltered Instruction

How does the district/school communicate with families? Many traditional events offered that attract families (sporting, senior project presentations, musicals) Carry an assumption that families will attend Marginalized families need to be reached out to Email notices are sent but not all families have access to computers School/district does what it can but there are always ways to improve

Recommendations Surveys to gain data about what families think of the event Always good to hear positives and ways to improve Good gauge of the event’s success Opportunity for other organizations to recruit and inform Good avenue for other school clubs or organizations to present information PTA presence

Resources Gaitan, C.D. (2004). Involving Latino families in schools: Raising student achievement through home-school partnerships. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Corwin Press. Email interview with Lisa McKeen, vice-principal Email interview with Jen Reidel, teacher and club supervisor of the First Generation Club