Building Bridges Through Community Workshops Presenters: Dean Fecher Rhonda Myers Jackie Nelson

Contact Us Dean Fecher, 5 th Grade Teacher Rhonda Myers, Principal Jackie Nelson, Technology Integration Lead Professional LaSalle Elementary School

Getting to know each other… Name Position/School/Location Where are you at in the workshop process? What would you like to get from this workshop? Do you have any specific needs the group may be able to help with today?

Our Own Workshop Success Stories… LCWS – LaSalle Community Workshop Series Technology Focused (one topic per workshop) Goal was to educate parents and community members on software being used by students at school – increase parental support capability at home, community outreach service, showcase student successes with technology (Student Facilitators)

LCWS Continued… Targeted to parents and community members Multiple workshops over the school year Funded through an Ed Tech grant from IDOE Video Clips

Family Literacy Night and Family Math Night Each offered once per school year Target audience is parents and families Goal of both nights is to provide support for parent involvement at home and encourage family involvement at school Concurrent Session format Slide Show of FLN Slide Show Planning forms, etc.

Resources for Information The Indiana Center for Family, School, and Community Partnerships The Parent Institute Home & School Connection Reading Connection

Workshop Topic Possibilities Informational Outreach Community Service Web Success Stories!!!

Planning your own workshop Workshop Planning Logistics Content Planning

Part 1, Number 1 – Goal What is your overall goal for the workshop? School Improvement Goals Support curriculum Community needs Survey potential participants for needs Phone, paper, , exit survey, web, how???

Part 1, Number 2 – Target Audience Who are you trying to reach with this workshop?

Part 1, Number 3 – Format Whole group session Open house Concurrent Session Assigned Session Others

Part 1, Number 4 – Topic Possibilities What are you going to talk about at the workshop?

Part 1, Number 5 – Overall Agenda What is the agenda for the entire workshop time going to look like? Is time needed for multiple sessions, transitions, whole group introductory activities, debriefing following sessions, refreshments, breaks, other activities, etc.? Our workshop agendas

Part 1, Number 6 – Logistics Planning Who will be responsible for planning and implementing the logistics? Can this be handled by one person? Planning team? Delegated to teachers? Parent volunteers? Senior volunteer programs (RSVP)? Local college or high school consumer and family science course participants?

Part 1, Number 7 – Activity Planning Who will plan the actual activity being presented to the audience? Small groups, individual or pairs, grade levels, RSVP, administrators

Part 1, Number 8 – Collecting Feedback How will feedback be collected at the workshop? Feedback form On site Mailed after the workshop Random interviews Phone calls

Part 1, Number 9 – Analyzing Feedback How will feedback be analyzed? What do you hope to gain from collecting the feedback?

Part 1, Number 10 – Sharing Feedback How will the feedback be shared with all stakeholders? Who else does the feedback need to be shared with? Reflection and Celebration!!

Part 1, Number 11 – Other Considerations What else????

Part 2, Number 1 – Date and Time What dates are good for the participants? Other scheduled events for school Outside sporting events (Little League) Holidays/common vacation times What times work for everyone? Evenings – starting time depending on meals, etc. Weekends Daytime Variety??

Part 2, Number 2 -- Location What are the needs of the audience and the workshop goals? Size limitations Outside location – may be less intimidating Church rec room or gym Public Library Community Center

Part 2, Number 3 – Transportation Do you need to provide transportation to the event to get attendance? How can that happen? Car pools City bus discount/arrangements School bus Teachers and volunteer drivers

Part 2, Number 4 – Building Partnerships What financial/materials needs are there? Where can that funding come from? School funding Local business partnerships PTA/PTO support Other sources? Request Letter

Part 2, Number 5 – Financial What are the financial needs of the workshop? Supplies (folders, paper, refreshments, stipends, supplies for activities, etc.) Expenses – how much do you need?

Part 2, Number 6 – Door Prizes What will it take to get participants to come? Where can door prizes come from? Local donations (about 12% response) PTA

Part 2, Number 7 – Babysitting Increased participation Sources for babysitters Teachers or teachers older children Community Service Project (honor societies, etc.) PTA Local Consumer and Family Science courses

Part 2, Number 8 – Marketing/Invitation Who is your target audience and how can you best reach them? Flyers home with students Internet Phone calls Community-wide posters/flyers Parent conferences

Part 2, Number 9 – Registration and/or Sign In Do you have space limitations or needs that require pre-registration? If so, how will that happen? How will you know who attends the workshop?

Part 2, Number Refreshments Food talks!! Snacks (cookies and punch) Snacks at each activity Meal for family Local donations? School district food services

Part 2, Number 11 – Video Taping Documentation Availability to those who could not attend Do you need parent permission to post clips to web?

Part 2, Number 12 – Name Tags Increased interaction Identify presenters, volunteers, helpers

Part 2, Number 13 – Student Facilitators How can current students support the workshop? Showcase current happenings Support presenters Troubleshoot Question/Answer assistance

Part 2, Number 14 – Other Considerations What else????

Part 3, Number 1 – Goal Focus has to be on goal of the workshop

Part 3, Number 2 – Agenda Items for each activity if concurrent sessions Time limitations

Part 3, Number 3 – Printed Information Brochures Handouts Folders Tutorials (technology) Take-home games or books

Part 3, Number 4 -- Activity What will participants do while they are at the session/workshop? What do they need to leave knowing?

Reflection Please take minutes to reflect on what you have discovered this evening and where you need to move to as you plan your own workshop.

Additional Resources Websites for Math, Literacy, Science, Social Studies, and Technology All forms shared today available at ridges.htm. ridges.htm