Partnering with Families: Embracing All Families to Strengthen Culturally Responsive Systems in an Elementary School Michelle Belnavis Dan Seaman belnavism@wisconsinrticenter.org seamand@wisconsinrticenter.org Lexi Vanden Heuvel Mizzier Campbell llvande@sunprairieschools.org mdcampb@sunprairieschools.org Kayla Barnes Patrick klbarne@sunprairieschools.org

Assessment Connection The content of this session connects to SIR - items 6, 7, 15, 37, 41, 43, 48 TFI - items 1.11, 1.15

Wisconsin’s Framework For Equitable Multi-Level System of Supports Family & Community Engagement: Embrace: Through words and actions, staff convey a welcoming environment, respectful of families’ home cultures, values, and languages. Schools recognize families as the first teachers of and foremost experts on their child. Engage: Families participate meaningfully in school and district level decision making. Family perspectives are intentionally sought through two-way communication, paying particular attention to family input from populations underserved by the school and district. Empower: As children proceed through the system, schools and districts involve families as active partners in their child’s learning. Schools and districts empower families: through respectful relationships, with information and resources, and by connecting families with community assets

Partnering with Families Within an Equitable Multi-Level System of Support Lower Impact Higher Impact Feature photos that represent families in your school Family resource room Positive phone call Share academic and behavioral expectations P-T conferences to set goals Celebrations Parent representative(s) on PBIS/RtI universal team Monthly positive phone calls/contacts Back to school nights Potlucks Strategies highlighted in Communications done In home language Modeling learning support strategies Class parties Acknowledgement system Home visits The When and Where Performances Literacy/math nights Read with child at home Regular, personalized communication PBIS/RtI family brochures, website Fundraisers Using family surveys and feedback Data sharing folders Embrace Engage Empower Adapted from the Class-wide Family Engagement Rubric created by Flamboyan Foundation. http://flamboyanfoundation.org/resources_and_publications/school-wide-family-engagement-rubric/

Northside Elementary Team Our Journey Strengthening Culturally Responsive Systems

Sun Prairie School Team: llvande@sunprairieschools. Sun Prairie School Team: Monica Lyons, Special Education Teacher Kayla Patrick, Social Worker malyons@sunprairieschools.org klbarne@sunprairieschools.org Lexi Vanden Heuvel, Principal llvande@sunprairieschools.org

Northside Elementary School Sun Prairie Area School District 550 Students K-5 26% Free-Reduced 72% White, 9% Black, 8% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 7% 2+ Races 11% Special Education 8% English Language Learners

Our Data Reading Achievement 80% of students who are below benchmark in the fall of 2017 will demonstrate accelerated growth, more than one year, by spring 2018 as measured by Fountas and Pinnell. 70% of ALL students will score proficient or above (40th PR) on Spring STAR Reading (Fall 2017 baseline = 53%) Assessment Period # of Students Who Met Benchmark % of Students Who Met Benchmark % of Students Who Were At or Above 40th PR School Average Fall - 50% 53% November 290 64.20% Winter 371 72% 63.60% Spring Goal: 80 Goal: 70 Black students 89% basic and below for ELA and 84% math, 10-20 percentage points higher than all other non-white students

89% Percent of Black Students Basic & Below (ELA) Black students 89% basic and below for ELA and 84% math, 10-20 percentage points higher than all other non-white students

Our Response Develop the Capacity of ALL Staff in Culturally Responsive Practices Engage Families of Underserved Students Continue to Embrace Families with Cultural Celebration Implement Year One of Read Your Heart Out

Where We Started 2014 Social Justice Institute 2015/2016 partnered with Madison Reading Project February 2016 Equity and Social Justice Conference in Madison 2016/2017 Equity Team met monthly per district initiative to develop more inclusive literacy practices and building wide programs for African American families/students of color. PBIS Family Connections Sub Committee - postcards, table at each family night, tried to plan outings in neighborhood parks

EQUITY: Model to Inform Culturally Responsive Practices

FILL BUILDING -Paperclip activity - white privilege -Exposure -Book clubs -Movie discussion -Present day social activists

FILL BUILDING

STAFF SURVEY

STAFF SURVEY

EQUITY: Model to Inform Culturally Responsive Practices

African-American Family Connections Invited families to have a conversation and share feedback for RYHO Discussed barriers to engagement Intentionally invited families, face-to-face opportunities including parent-teacher conferences, music concerts, etc.

EQUITY: Model to Inform Culturally Responsive Practices

Northside’s 5th Annual Culture Celebration

Building From The 7 Experiences Music Food Goals: -Increase ESL attendance at School Events -Bridge families home and school lives Relate to seven experiences -shared experience that is responsive and relevant -see all selves mattering Culturally Immerse Families -potluck -dancers -live music -culture museum Culture Museum Dancing

Shared Experience – Bridge School & Family Life

Increase Attendance of Underserved Families

Embracing a Variety of Cultures

EQUITY: Model to Inform Culturally Responsive Practices

Read Your Heart Out In Celebration of African American Parent Involvement Through Literacy Background/Planning Three staff attended RYHO training fall 2016. RYHO appeared to be the event that would embrace the partnership we were seeking. January 2017 Title I funds used to add value to staff library with a lense on equity. March 2017 staff attended RYHO at Glendale in Madison. September 2017 began monthly meetings. January 2018 began weekly meetings. February 2018 held our 1st RYHO event.

Free To Be Me… Books - Title I Books Date Selection - Staff Conversation, BLC Visiting Other RYHO Sites Growth - check in, too many readers, community room,

See What I Can Be!!!

Read Your Heart Out!!! Insert Video

Shared Resources Invitation Reader Schedule Flyer Survey Reader Reminder https://tinyurl.com/ya6v27hq

Strengthening Our Culturally Responsive Systems Family Engagement - Resource Room, Building Decor, Ask Questions and Just Listen Continued Personal & Professional Growth Experiment with Mentorship Programs Grow Culturally Relevant Experiences - RYHO, Culture Night, etc.

csession.questionpro.com