1. Alki Elementary
Engagements & Partnerships

2. Melissa Spiker
secretary@alkipta.com
206.209.9182

3. Family Engagement
A key component for student and school success.

4. Family Engagement
What is family engagement?
Types of family engagement
Current engagement strategies
How do we move from best to next practices?

5. What is Family Engagement?
Family Engagement is a shared responsibility between families, schools, and community agencies working with families.
Family engagement describes what families do at home and in the community
to support their children's learning and development. It also encompasses the
shared partnership and responsibility between home and school.
Such engagement is essential for school and student outcomes to improve.“
“

6. Why family engagement?
Improved student outcomes: Regardless of socioeconomic, present performance, language, or background.
Students with engaged
families earn higher
grades and test scores.
Higher Grades
Students have good or
improved attendance
when families are
engaged.
Attendance
Students show improved
social skills and coping
mechanisms.
Social Skills
With an engaged family,
students are more likely to
graduate and attend
postsecondary education
More Likely to Graduate
Students whose families
are engaged are less
likely to bully peers.
Less Likely to Bully
When families engage at
school, student behaviors
improve at home.
Improved Behavior

7. Engagement vs. Involvement
A school striving for parent engagement tends to
lead with its ears - listening to what parents think,
dream, and worry about. The goal of family eng
agement is not to serve clients, but to gain partne
rs.
A school striving for family involvement
often leads with its mouth - identifying
projects, needs, and goals and telling par
ents how they can contribute.Involvement
Engagement
.
An emotional involvement and
commitment
To oblige or to take part
in something

8. Six Types of Family Engagement
Below are the types of engagements that make up the framework for school, family and community partnerships.
Help parents create a space to read
and study at home. Host events to
educate and empower families.
Parent Supports
Two way communications about
student progress and benchmarks.
Communicating
Offer wide range of opportunities to
welcome all families.
Volunteering
Offer ideas for families to learn at
home.
Learning at Home
Families experiences are valued,
and families are involved in decision
making process.
Decision Making
Coordinate resources and services
from community for families,
students, and school.
Community Collaboration
01
02
03
04
05
06
Epstein, J.L., Sanders, M.G., Sheldon, S.B. et al. (2009). School, Family and Community Partnerships: Framework for Family Engagement

9. Alki’s Engagement Strategy
An engagement strategy should clearly identify preferred methods of engagement.
Involve: considering community concerns
Collaborate: families participate with planning
Communicate: share programs/events w/ families
Consult: invite family feedback and analysis
Current State: Building Leadership Team (BLT), Principal Coffee
Chats
Current State: Continuing School Improvement Plan (BLT), Student
Intervention Teams (SIT), School of Excellence Initiatives, IEPs
In Print: Currents, classroom & grade-band newsletters, kid mail
By Email: Principal's Friday Flashback, PTA E-news
Online: Alki Elementary, PTA and class websites, Facebook, Sign-Ups
Surveys: SPS family and student survey (3rd, 4th, and 5th grade),
PTA School of Excellence survey, Surveys in Currents
In-Person: community forums at PTA membership meetings,
principal coffee chats, parent/teacher conferences

10. Best Practices
Bringing community partners into schools to learn how to access services or to
develop skills is an efficient and effective method to engage families.
The more spheres overlap, the greater impacts for student success.
Families can collaborate with one or more spheres at any given time (including each other!).
student
community
school
family

11. Collective Capacity
U.S. Department of Education
Capacity Building Framework
Challenges, Opportunity, Goals & Outcomes
Challenge: Lack of opportunities for school/program
staff and families to build capacity of partnerships.
Opportunity Conditions: Collaborative and
interactive, meeting parents where they are in their
abilities
Goals: Build family and staff’s abilities in the 4C
areas.
Supports: Recognize families as a source of
knowledge, create a welcoming environment, and
connect family engagement to learning.

12. Alki’s Next Practices
Guiding questions to create our collective visions and set our common goals.
In our current state, where would we like to improve?
What is and isn’t working for us?
Is community well represented by our contributors?
Who do we have at the table?
01
02
03
How will we measure success ?
04 Practice real time assessment and adjustments.
Brainstorm how to engage our historically
marginalized families.
How can we draw others to the table?

13. School Partnerships
Components of a healthy partnership

14. School Partnerships
What are the necessary components of a school
partnership, and what do we want to gain from it?
What kinds of questions should parents and
schools be asked to improve partnerships?
Who else in the community should we be
partnering with?
What do we expect from the school, and what do
they expect from us?

15. Components of School Partnerships
Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family School Partnerships
When parents are empowered to
engage and solicit systemic changes
that improve the school.
Collective Capacity
Welcoming climate embedded in all
programs, including resources and
intentional infrastructure..
Systemic Approach
Capabilities, Connections, Cognition,
and Confidence
The Four C’s
Teachers regard parents as equal
partners and consider each family
experience valuable intel.
Shared Power
Families become a part of the
decision making process in the
educational options for their children.
Decision Making
Continuously assess and revise
program to meet student needs.
Assess and Revise
01
02
03
04
05
06
U.S. Department of Education

16. • What do families know and do to
support their child’s education?
• What questions do families have
about how to support their child?
• What help do families need to help
their child?
• How do families want to be
involved with our school
community?
• How do families prefer to get their
information?
• What do families want to learn in
order to support their child?
• What do families want to learn for
themselves?
• What do families want to learn
from each other?
Family Inventories….
• How are we creating a sense of
trust with parents?
• How are we recognizing family
strengths and commitment to their
child’s success?
• How are we communicating what’s
going well and what is needing
attention?
• How are our events strengthening
bonds between students and their
families?
• How do we promote learning
together?
• What meaningful opportunities do
we offer for families to engage in
their child’s learning?
• How do families help determine
what we offer and evaluate the
feedback
School Inventories….

17. It’s a Two Way Street
What do we expect from the school, and what do they expect from us?
List expectations and talk about your families
experience and viewpoints. Discuss possible ways to
improve our current state, and share with school.
Consider polling teachers and staff. Ask grade band
groups of teachers about expectations. Request current
policy and guidelines on the subject to share w families
School
Families

18. Community Partnerships
What local agencies or groups should we invite to join our discussions and support our cause?
Community Center
West Seattle Library
Local Elementary PTAs
Families of Color
Dine-Outs & Sponsors
Family-school-community
partnerships are a shared
responsibility and are a reciprocal
process where schools and
community agencies engage families
in meaningful and culturally
appropriate ways.

19. School of Excellence
School of Excellence – Sponsored by National PTA

20. School of Excellence
Timeline & National Standards
Why become a School of Excellence?
What is Collective Capacity, and how does it
benefit all children?
How will we analyze our survey data and
implement changes for improvement?

21. School of Excellence Timeline
2019 – 2020 School Year
2019 2020
Gage progress and
redesign or reallocate
resources to meet needs of
the community.
March
Enroll and discuss at board
retreat and with BLT.
Complete the assessment
tool and identify key team
members for focus group.
April - October
Deploy end of year survey,
submit to National PTA
with final application.
May - June
Celebrate gains and
community commitment
and reapply for next year.
August - September
Use Roadmap to
Excellence to improve
Family-School Partnership.
Build and expand your
Focus Group and
Committee.
School Year
Deploy and submit family
survey. Promote survey to
ensure accurate data
sample, invite community
to serve on committee.
September - November
2019

22. School of Excellence
Which Standard would our community like to focus on during the school year?
Each standard is deeply rooted
in mutual respect and growth
based mindsets.
National Standards
01 02 03 04 05
Welcomingallfamiliesintothe
school’scommunity,families
feelvaluedandconnected.
Communicatingeffectivelyby
engaginginmeaningfultwoway
communicationsaboutlearning.
Teachersandparentssupport
studentsuccessbothatschool
andathome.
Speakingupforeverychildby
empoweringfamiliesand
increasingcollectivecapacity.
Schoolandfamiliessharepower,
andarequalpartnersin
decisionsthateffectchildren.
Familiesandstaffcollaborate
withthecommunitymembersto
expandlearningopportunities.
0406

23. Welcoming All Families
Standard One of National Standards for School Partnerships
Goal 1
Welcoming
Climate
Family friendly atmosphere
Personal relationships
Many volunteering options
Accepting all parent’s help
Clear school signage
Goal 2
Welcoming
Community
Respect all families
Remove economic
participation obstacles
Ensure programming is
accessible to all
Explore family resource
options
Translate documents
Getting
Started
PTA Leaders: Establish a welcoming
committee, greet parents at events,
offer child care at all events, sit with
someone you haven’t met yet.
School Leaders: Work to establish
guidelines to engage staff, set up parent
help desk, be accessible and available,
show families their experience is valued.

24. Communicating Effectively
Standard Two of National Standards for School Partnerships
Goal:
Share information between school & families.
Use multiple communication pathways
Survey families to identify current issues and concerns
Let families know they have access to the principal
Provide information on current issues in a timely manner
Facilitate connections among families in the community
Getting
Started
Communicate in languages and formats
that will best serve every family.
Support and build a robust room parent
program by class or grade bands.
Sponsor events that encourage a fun,
social way for families to interact with
educators and other families.

25. Supporting Student Success
Standard Three of National Standards for School Partnerships
Goal 1
Share Progress
Ensure family & teacher
communications
Link student work to
academic standards
Increase achievement thru
standardized tests
Share school progress and
goals regularly
Provide families the URL to
OSPI’s website & data
Goal 2
Support Learning
Engage families in
classroom learning activities
Develop ability for family to
strengthen learning at home
Promote after-school
learning
Host educational events
parents are interested in
Build two way home to
school communications
Getting
Started
Link all events to student learning,
including activities focused on making
families feel welcome.
For example: Work with school
leadership to conduct workshops on
interpreting standardized test data; or,
host a free family literacy event
encouraging families to read together
and with the community.

26. Speaking up for Every Child
Standard Four of National Standards for School Partnerships
Goal 1
Informed Families
Teach how the school and
district operate
Share current laws about
their rights/responsibilities
Ensure access to student
support services
Resolve problems and
conflicts as they arise
Tell families what is
expected of them
Goal 2
Empower Families
Develop families capacity to
advocate effectively
Engage families in planning
for the future
Facilitate smooth transitions
Encourage families to
participate in civic advocacy
for student achievement
Getting
Started
Promote any successful changes fueled
by family engagement.
Investigate using community brokers to
reach all families and to bring back their
concerns to the community.
Encourage family participation in school
committees and events.
Involve families in ongoing training in
subjects survey revealed interests for
learning about.

27. Sharing Power
Standard Five of National Standards for School Partnerships
Goal:
Strengthen family’s voice in shared decisions.
Recognize families as experts and ensure they have a voice in
decisions that effect children.
Develop a PTA that is effective and represents all families in the
community
Conduct annual family survey or focus groups to access current
programs and policies
Host a school accountability meeting to inform families about
performance data, programs, and policies.
Getting
Started
Identify ways the PTA can support the
School Improvement Plan
Invite parents to share their ideas and
concerns via a suggestion box
Provide opportunities to interact with
elected officials.

28. Collaborating with the Community
Standard Six of National Standards for School Partnerships
Goal:
Connect the school with community resources
Serve as the link to community resources and services
Organize support from community partners
Partner with community groups to strengthen the families and support
student success
Look for ways to turn the school into a hub of community life
Getting
Started
Bring partners together around a shared
vision by facilitating a steering
committee or focus group
Identify goals and determine opportunity
for community collaboration to help
achieve family engagement results
Recognize and thank partners regularly

29. Analyze Data & Implement Change
Alki’s Roadmap to Excellence
Family
Survey
We are here…
Robust
deployment of
family survey for
an inclusive
data sample.
Complete the Survey
End of Year
Survey
Our destination…..
Ask for
feedback to
assess our
progress.
Analyze our Progress
Roadmap to
Excellence
Map the way….
Implement
changes in our
Roadmap to
Excellence.
Join the Discussion
You are invited to
participate in our
focus groups and to
sit on a steering
committee to
support this
program.

30. Thank you
Please feel free to reach out with questions, email secretary@alkipta.com.