Parent Involvement/Family Engagement Nuri D. Ayres Session # 107 Nuri D. Ayres

Supporting Families and Communities Reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Supporting Families and Communities Supporting Families

Proposed NCLB Reauthorization Comprehensive district approaches to family engagement Requires that districts and schools develop comprehensive, systemic plans for sustained family engagement

Proposed NCLB Reauthorization 2 percent of funds from the Title I, Part A, program in ESEA. Districts will spend a minimum of $270 million nationally on parent and family engagement

Proposed NCLB Reauthorization Will use family engagement strategies that increase student achievement and create a welcoming environment Strong collaboration between families and their childrens teachers, schools, and districts. USDOE, 2010

Types of Parent Involvement Home Focused School Focused Partnership Focused

1. The KLT Factor 2. Building Parent Friendly Schools 3. Action Packet Sample

1. The K.L.T. Factor KNOW Meet and greet Parking lot Meetings Positive phone calls Post cards Letters home

1. The KLT Factor LIKE Opportunities to get to know the staff Movie Nights with Parent Café Helping parents help their children Internet Safety Workshop

1. The KLT Factor TRUST Family Photo Night Parent selected workshops Focus groups Principal's Tea School Signage

2. Building Parent Friendly Schools

Why Some Schools Lock Their Doors

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY ALL VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL, INCLUDING FAMILIES, MUST SIGN IN AND EXPLAIN THEIR BUSINESS IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING TO THE DOOR/HALL MONITOR. THIS PROCEDURE APPLIES ALL DAY LONG, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING AND AT DISMISSIAL TIME. ALL CHILDREN ARE TO BE LEFT AT THE SCHOOL DOOR OR PLAYGROUND AND WILL BE ESCORTED BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL (Example # 1) PRINCIPALS DIRECTIVE:

PRINCIPALS WELCOME (Rewrite of Example 1) TO VISITORS AND FAMILIES PLEASE SIGN IN WITH THE DOOR/HALL MONITOR AND RECEIVE A WELCOME BADGE SO STUDENTS MAY ENTER AND EXIT SAFELY, PARENTS ARE ASKED TO WAIT OUTSIDE THE BUILDING AT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL TIMES. CHILDREN WILL BE MET AT THE DOOR AND ESCORTED TO THEIR CLASSROOMS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR CHILDS TEACHER, PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.

WARNING ALL VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT MUST REPORT TO THE MAIN OFFICE AND OBTAIN A VISITORS PASS IMMEDIATELY UPON ENTERING THE SCHOOL VIOLATORS MAY BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PROSECUTION Negative example # 2

WELCOME We are glad you are here! FOR THE STUDENTS SAFETY, WE REQUIRE ALL VISITORS TO COME TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE TO GET A WELCOME BADGE. YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO LOVING OUR GREAT SCHOOL Positive Rewrite of Example # 2 Ask How You Can Help Our School

Welcome To Our School! May Your Visit Be Pleasant And Worthwhile ___________________________ All Visitors and Guests Are Required to Register At The School Office SPECIAL NOTICE 1.Students Are Released From The Building Only Through The Office 2. Trespassing Or Loitering On School Premises Is Strictly Prohibited

Welcome To Our School! May Your Visit Be Pleasant And Worthwhile ___________________________ All Visitors and Guests Are Required to Register At The School Office SAFETY PROCEDURES 1.Students Are Released From The Building Only Through The Office 2. Trespassing Or Loitering On School Premises Is Strictly Prohibited

Campus is regularly inspected by detection canines for prohibited items in order to provide you with a safe learning environment Another Door Sign

Rewrite of Door Sign For the safety of our school community, this campus is regularly inspected for prohibited items using leashed K-9 dogs

Creating Parent Friendly Schools Multi-Lingual Building signs Building maps Greeters Hall monitors Office staff Bulletin boards Parent Friendliness survey

More Ideas for Parent Friendly Schools Door Monitors should be trained incustomer service Guidelines for greeting visitors and parents should be established Start a parent center Have a translator on call Welcome Badges and school maps should be readily available

Action Packets for K-12 Schools 20 Individual Activities (2 years) –Ready to copy and use –CD for customizing the content Done for you Parent Involvement Activities Contains the directions you need to sponsor a successful event at your school Can be used by a staff member, parent or volunteer

Using Action Packets Effectively 1. Parent Information Survey –Results –School Goals 2. Selecting The Action Packet Leader 3. Using the CD to Customize the Packet

Using Action Packets Effectively Directions Step by Step Planning Calendar Flyers and Reminders Agendas Sign- in forms Evaluations Data collection

Sample Activities for Building K.L.T. Action Packet # 12 Healthy Heart Night

Using Action Packets Effectively Other Features –Sign-in Sheets –Thanks Yous

Using Action Packets Effectively Data Collection * Insert graphic

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Activity #11 Movie Night and State-Testing Preview Workshop

42 Save the Date Movie Night and State-Testing Preview Workshop While your child watches a movie, learn about the state tests that he or she faces. Where:_______________________________________________ When:_______________________________________________ Refreshments will be served! If you have any questions, please contact: _____________________

43 Movie Night and State-Testing Preview Workshop Where:_______________________________________________ When:_______________________________________________ Activities for the evening: Information about grade-level state testing Test-taking tips to help your child prepare for the test Question-and-answer session at the end of presentation Take-home materials Having trouble getting here? Call _____________ to arrange a ride to school. Refreshments will be served! If you have any questions, please contact________________________ (Please tear off and return to school by: ) Movie Night and State-Testing Preview Workshop Name: __________________________ I can attend (# attending_____) Phone: __________________________ I cannot attend Child(ren)s name(s) I need transportation

44 Remember tomorrow is: Movie Night and State-Testing Preview Workshop While your child watches a movie, learn about the state tests that he or she faces. Its not too late to join us! Where:_______________________________________________ When:_______________________________________________ Refreshments will be served! If you have any questions, please contact: ______________________

45 Movie Preview Workshop Agenda Welcome Evenings agenda presented Separation of parents and children Workshop being presented/movie being shown at the same time Question-and-answer session Parents join their children for remainder of the movie Snacks are distributed Closing and thank you

Source: Schenectady City School District Parent Partnership Team chairpersons Enrollment approx. 10,000 Growth in Parent Contacts % over the past six years of data collection.

Questions and Answers

Nuri D. Ayres, Education Consultant International Center for Leadership in Education (813) Contact Information