Parent Involvement/Family Parent Involvement/Family EngagementEngagementNuri D. AyresNuri D. AyresSession # 107Session # 107

Nuri D. AyresNuri D. Ayres

Supporting Families and Communities

Reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

Supporting Families and CommunitiesSupporting 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 children’s 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)

PRINCIPAL’S 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 CHILD’S TEACHER, PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.

WARNING

ALL VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

MUST REPORT TO THE MAIN OFFICEAND OBTAIN A VISITOR’S PASSIMMEDIATELY UPON ENTERING

THESCHOOL

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

LOVINGOUR 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 TheSchool Office

SPECIAL NOTICE

1. Students Are Released From The Building Only Through The Office2. 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 TheSchool Office

SAFETY PROCEDURES

1. Students Are Released From The Building Only Through The Office2. 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 in “customer 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 Activitiesfor Building K.L.T.

Action Packet # 12 Healthy Heart Night

Using Action Packets Effectively

• Other Features– Sign-in Sheets

– Thanks You’s

Using Action Packets Effectively

• Data Collection

* Insert graphic

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Activity #11

Movie Night and State-Testing Preview Workshop

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Save the DateMovie 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 testQuestion-and-answer session at the end of presentationTake-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

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Remember tomorrow is:

Movie Night and State-Testing Preview WorkshopWhile your child watches a movie, learn about the state tests that he or she faces.

It’s not too late to join us!

Where:_______________________________________________

When:_______________________________________________

Refreshments will be served!

If you have any questions, please contact: ______________________

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Movie Preview WorkshopAgenda

WelcomeEvening’s 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 Contacts2003-2006

271% over the past six years of data collection.

Questions and Answers

Nuri D. Ayres, Education Consultant

International Center for Leadership in Educationnuriayres@verizon.net

(813)-215-3671Contact Information