boosting school-to-home communication: proven strategies & tactics
DESCRIPTION
Engaging parents and boosting school-home communications is a priority in Fremont School District 79 (IL). And creating the environment that celebrates collaborative practices is central to the district’s vision and promotes home-school connections! In this event, Dr. Gildea, Superintendent of Fremont Schools, shares how her district has implemented best practices in K-12 parent communications for future ready schools, addressed the challenges and hurdles to effective parent engagement via communication strategies, and juggled the many demands of preparing today's child for tomorrow's world. She also provides tested tips and tactics that work and that you can use today!TRANSCRIPT
Boosting School-to-Home Communications:Proven Strategies and Tactics
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Presented byDr. Jill Gildea, SuperintendentFremont School District 79 (IL)
Join the Parent Involvement & Community Engagement in K-12 community: www.edweb.net/engagement
Check out these key resources:
Parent & Family Engagement Infographic –http://offers.schoolwires.com/peinfographic
A Checklist for Family Involvement – http://offers.schoolwires.com/k12checklist
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F R E M O N T S C H O O L D I S T R I C T 7 9
BOOSTING SCHOOL TO HOME COMMUNICATIONS:
PROVEN STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
Gildea 08/27/14
VISION
“Fremont School District 79 will serve its community by providing an exemplary education
focused on whole-child development, collaboration and fiscal responsibility.”
Creating the environment that celebrates collaborative practices as central to its vision
promotes home-school connections!
CORE BELIEFS
• Parents and school staff should be equal partners in children’s learning.
• The responsibility for building partnerships between schools and home rests primarily with school staff, especially school leaders.
• Schools are a reflection of the communities they serve.
RESEARCH
• “A New Wave of Evidence,” by Dr. Karen Mapp (Harvard Graduate School of Education) is an expert in school, family, and community partnerships.
FINDINGS
• Students with involved parents are more likely to:• Earn higher grades and test scores• Be promoted, pass their courses, and earn credits• Attend school regularly• Have better social skills and improved behavior• Attend school regularly• Graduate and go on to post secondary education
FREMONT FINDINGS…
• Average ACT score of students attending Stevenson High School: 26.5
• Students attending post secondary education: 94%• Scholarship awards in excess of $5,000,000 per year for
Mundelein High School
HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?
• CHARACTERISTICS OF HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOLS
• Alignment of strategies, processes and activities to the Vision/Mission
• Desire to improve• Commitment to learning• Use of data to measure/improve performance• Concern for people
• Home/School Partnership
FOUR STRATEGIES
1. Proactive programs to foster positive interactions with parents.
2. Offer opportunities to become involved.3. Inform parents of classroom management and
instructional activities.4. Make accommodations to meet the needs of
families of diverse backgrounds.
WHAT WORKS
• Summer e-newsletter• Opening the year with Meet the Teacher/Supply
Drop-Off• Informal interaction and engagement before the year
even starts
• Back to School Night• Family Nights Focused on Reading, Science, Tech• Partnership Events such as Fitness Festival
INDICATOR OF SUCCESS
SURVEYS
TIPS & TACTICS
CHALLENGES
• # of Clicks…• 90-7-3…• Incorporating Visuals• Gaining Media’s Positive Interest• Personalized, Targeted Communications• Meaningful Interaction
• Student-Centered• Positive• Enhances Home-School Partnership
FACT…
•51% of supervisors say that they recognize employees who do a good job
•17% of employees at that same organization report that their supervisors do well at recognizing them
SUCCESS STORIES
BEST PRACTICES
RECOGNIZE SUCCESSES
PARENT FOCUS GROUPS
HOME SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
• Teacher Websites• Learning Management System!• eBlast• Virtual Backpack• Specific Targeted Communication Campaign
• Multimedia Monday• Technology Tuesday• Wild about Learning Wednesdays• Throwback Thursday• Fun Event Friday
WEBSITE
SOCIAL MEDIA
RECOGNITION
SURVEY
QUICK POLLS
TELEPHONE AND FACE/FACE
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
CHECKLIST
Welcoming Environment
Policies and Practices
Home-School CommunicationAuthentic EngagementPrompt Response Times
RESOURCES
• Checklist for Schools – Making your Family-Community Partnership Work
• http://titleone.dpi.wi.gov/files/titleone/pdf/checklist-for-schools.pdf
• Edutopia.org – Parent Leadership Education Resources
• http://www.edutopia.org/parent-leadership-education-resources
• A Family Friendly School Walkthrough Checklist –• http://
www.cesdp.nmhu.edu/toolkit/docs/pdfs/improving-communication/A%20Family%20Friendly%20Schools%20Walkthrough%20Checklist%202014.pdf
QUESTIONS
Type your questions in the chat box.
Join our community: Parent Involvement &
Community Engagement in K-12 www.edweb.net/engagement
• Invitations to upcoming webinars• Webinar archives and resources• Online discussions• CE quizzes for archived webinars
A CE certificate for today’s webinar
will be emailed to you
24 hours after the live session.
Stay tuned for information about our next webinar!October 8 with Dr. Joyce Epstein, Director of the
Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
Johns Hopkins University
Join the Parent Involvement & Community Engagement in K-12 community for an invitation to the next webinar:
www.edweb.net/engagement