Family Engagement Long-Term Plan

Monthly Overview:

August
Back-to-School Night
Starting weekly/monthly calendars or newsletters

September
Beginning-of-year conferences
Hispanic Heritage Month

October
Book Character Day parade/ dress up as your favorite book character
Using literary and informational texts: non-fiction and fiction
Book character presentation
Progress reports

November
Thanksgiving Dinner

December
Christmas Around the World
Break packets

January
New year goal setting
Review inclement weather procedures

February
Black history Month
Poetry Slam at the end of the month

March
International women's day

April
Pre-end of year conferences
Retention notification

May
End of year testing

June
Field Day
 Grade level picnics
Final student evaluations

Family Engagement Plan

Introduction:

Our team has laid out a monthly plan with at least 1 event or activity per month of the
school year. The more opportunities families have to come into the school and participate in their
child's education, the stronger the relationship will be between families and school staff. It is so
important for families to feel like they are valued as part of the school family, and we hope that
our plan will help to cultivate this feeling and help make families feel more welcome at the
school. The key players visible throughout our implementation plan are parents, families,
students, teachers, administrators and various community members.
Our plan features a variety of events to involve students and families not just in academic
content, but also in celebrations. We have included celebrations for the holidays (Thanksgiving
Dinner, Christmas Around the World, etc.). Our plan also includes ways to keep parents
informed and involved in the academics their children are engaged in with events such as a final
testing breakfast and pep rally to help parents encourage their children as well as learn the best
ways to support their children. Communications with family is also outlined in this plan - such as
how we will communicate to families about inclement weather. Below you will find a more
detailed description of each specific event as well as a brief timeline and structure of how the
events will run. Specific key players are listed in the descriptions of the events.

August

August marks an exciting time of the year for students, parents and teachers. Families can be
engaged through Back To School Night and receiving monthly newsletters with calendars
included. Both of these actions give the families a way to feel like they are aware of what is
going on in the classroom and in the school.

Back To School Night

Overview : Parents and students are invited to an exciting night where they will be able to get
some valuable information on the school, classrooms and teachers. They will also be able to see
samples of the work their scholars have already been working hard on. Families will get the
opportunity to interact and engage with classroom content and materials. Refreshments will be
served ( teachers will contribute). Translators will be available as well. Parents can choose to
drop off additional children in media center where there will be activities for them to do.
Agenda: 5:30PM-7:35PM
5:30-5:50- Community engagement and refreshments with other families and teachers.
5:50-6:10-Whole group/grade level introduction to back to school night and schoolwide
expectations and communication overview (email, cellular applications, newsletters)
6:10-6:15-Transition to student classrooms
6:15-6:35-Introductions and icebreakers
6:35-6:55-Powerpoint presentation of classroom and content overview ( academics, culture and
expectations, tips for learning at home)
6:55-7:15-Parents" take a walk in their students shoes" by being given a student assignment or
activity. Families will get the opportunity to interact with various classroom materials such as
materials and reading centers to complete the assignment or activity.
7:15-7:25-Parent and family reflections on student assignments and activities
7:25-7:30- Pass out Newsletters and tips for working with scholars at home
7:30-7:35-Additional Q&A and closing remarks

Newsletter/Calendar Start off

Overview : Keeping families informed is crucial to promoting family engagement. Newsletters
are instrumental to this task. Newsletters that include calendars will be passed out weekly and
monthly to families in print and via social platforms such as email, cellular applications such as
"Remind" and the school website.

Agenda
Daily and weekly: Parents and families will have the opportunity to check their cellular
applications (i.e Remind) and emails for emergency updates and routine classroom
updates such as homework or project due dates. Parents and families will also receive
news on student achievements and accolades such as "student of the week".
Bi-Weekly: Parents and families will receive classroom newsletters with reminders,
classroom goals and classroom specific news and updates. This will be available via
email and in print form.
Monthly: Parents and families will receive a monthly newsletter that will include the
monthly lunch menu, community events, monthly calendar, grade level news, and a
monthly syllabus for each academic subject. This newsletter will be given in print and
will be made accessible via all electronic platforms, to include the school website.

September

September marks the month where students are starting to rebuild their academic muscles and
stamina. This is a good time to start collecting data on students strengths and areas where growth
is needed. September also marks Hispanic Heritage Month, a time where scholars of different
backgrounds can celebrate the contributions of Hispanic people to their communities and to the
country.

Beginning Of Year Conferences

Overview:
Traditionally, parent student conferences occur around November during the second quarter.
This will be an opportunity for parents to gauge student progress earlier on in the year. Parents
and teachers will also get the opportunity to exchange ideas on how to best help students
achieve to their fullest potential.

Agenda:
Last week of September:
Parents will be given sign up sheets in advance where they can sign up for various time
slots to meet with teachers. Conferences will last about 15 minutes and will be broken
down as such:
o 5 minutes overview of data and anecdotal notes (behavioral and academic)
o 5 minutes of viewing student work
o 5 minutes of goal setting

Hispanic Heritage Month

Overview: Various opportunities will be given for parents and families to come in and participate
in or facilitate enriching activities that give students the opportunity to learn more about Hispanic
Heritage.The themes will be outlined in the monthly newsletter, as well as in the weekly
informational blasts. Sign up sheets will also be sent home a week prior to each week's events.

Agenda:
Week 1- The theme will be People. This week scholars will be learning about influential
Hispanic and Hispanic American individuals in America and other countries. Parents and
families will have the opportunity to come in and watch student presentations. Parents and
families will also have the opportunity to sign up to come in and give presentations and tell or
read stories to the class.

Week 2-The theme will be Places. This week scholars will be exploring the geography and
cultural practices of Hispanic Latin American countries. Parents who are natives of various
countries, as well as parents and families who have lived in various countries will have the
opportunity to sign up for a time slot to come in and share presentations to the class. Parents will
also be welcome to come watch presentations.

Week 3-Theme will be Arts. This week students will learn about various Hispanic arts. They will
learn about performing arts such as music, dance, acting, storytelling and theatre. They will also
as learn about traditional forms of painting, sculpture, drawings, tapestry and fashion design.
Parents and families will get the opportunity to sign up to share their talents and knowledge on
various art forms with the class. Parents and families will also get the opportunity to volunteer
for or come watch the schoolwide Hispanic Heritage Month showcase held in October.

Week 4-Theme Food and Celebration. Parents and families will be able to sign up to bring a
traditional Hispanic meal or snack to share with the class during lunch.Parents and Families can
also contribute recipes and come in to participate in the recipe book making activity that will
take place in reading class during the week.

October
Book Character Day Parade
Overview:

Teacher will send out letter announcing October themed character celebration
Dear parent,
This October our class will be celebrating Character day. As a class we will
work together to compile our favorite book characters, fiction and non-fiction. Students
will pick their favorite character doing an analysis on them. They will be analyzing the
characters actions, thoughts, feelings, and traits. They can choose a non-fiction
character like Malcolm X, or a fiction character such as John Henry. At the end of the
month students will dress up as their favorite character during an afterschool
presentation for you. Character day will be celebrated on October 27th, 28th, or 31st at
5:00-5:30pm. Come out and celebrate your child's education, there will be light
refreshments and snacks.

Thank you,

Agenda:
Week 1: Teacher will give out several books to choose, students will pick a character to
analyze
o Students will fill out chart of literary characters
http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/3759599.png
Week 2: Same lesson but characters are non-fiction
Week 3: Students will choose character for presentation
o Teacher will guide drafting and revisions
Week 4: Students will practice revising, parading, and presenting character. Some
students will research their characters and others will plan their costume (when finished
with revisions).
Character day: 5:00-5:30pm
Students will give short parade into the classroom with their character costumes on
Students will give short lesson to parents about analyzing character comparing text to
text, text to self, and text to community (as that character)

November

November is the beginning of the holiday season, and one of the most important things a school
can do is to celebrate these holidays with the families of their students. A Thanksgiving Dinner
Potluck is a time for families to come together in the classroom and share a meal together.
Overview:
Dinner will be a collective effort between all the families who are able to attend. If 20 families
are able to attend, families will self-select what they want to bring. 5 families will bring side
dishes, 5 families will bring desserts, 5 will bring drinks, 1 will bring plastic silverware, 1 will
bring cups, 1 will bring plates, 1 will bring napkins, 1 will bring decorations, and the Teacher
will bring the main dish (turkey).

Agenda: 6:00-7:30pm
6:00-6:30 Families and Teacher will eat dinner together in the classroom.
6:30 7:00 While families are eating dessert, students will come to the carpet and the
Teacher will read a story of the first Thanksgiving. Students and families will talk about
how their meal was similar or different from that of the first Thanksgiving.
7:00-7:30 Academic goals and vision
o The Teacher will show a PowerPoint presentation to parents that will show
student growth and progress to goals on assessments and standards.

December

December is a great month to introduce students to the way that different countries celebrate
holidays. The 'Holidays Around the World' event gives the whole school an opportunity to
participate in a collective event where families can come and learn about the important holidays
in different countries. Also, during Winter Break, it's important that students continue to stay in
'school-mode'. Break packets help students and families stay focused during this long break.

Holidays Around the World

Overview: This is a school-wide event. Each grade level would be responsible for researching
the major holiday in a different country. For example, 1st grade would be assigned India. The
week before this event, students would learn about Diwali and would create diyas that can be
displayed during the Holidays Around the World event. The 1 st grade teachers would also create
some activities, like printouts of rangolis, that students and families can do during the event, and
would get snacks for families like the ones that people in India eat during Diwali.

Agenda: 5:30-7:30
5:30 As families enter the school, they will receive a 'passport' with all the different
countries represented by the different grade levels. At each country, they will receive a
stamp on their passport.
5:30-7:30 Students and families will travel to the different countries and experience the
holidays that that country celebrate.
Break Packets

Overview: At the beginning of December, parents will receive a letter letting them know that
their child is going to receive a packet of homework to work on over break. This letter will state
the importance of keeping up with academic work throughout break, because middle-of-year
standardized testing will begin soon after break is over. Each grade level will put together a
packet to distribute to children on the day before break begins. If students complete their packet,
they will get a prize!

January
New year Goals:
As the new year starts, students and their family members will be invited to the school and re-
charge and set goals for the year. This is an excellent opportunity for students and family
members to create goals on an individual, family, and school level. Throughout the month there
will be "checkpoints" to gage the progress of the goals everyone has set for themselves. (Goals
need not be academic, I.e., working out, eating better, going to church more, etc.).

Beginning of January: (1 hour) School family and community members will be invited
into the school auditorium to create goals.
o 5:30-5:45: Administration will start off by explaining the goals of the school as a
whole
o 5:45-6:00: Presentation will let the participants know how the month is going to
be structured to provide checkpoints on the goals that have been set.
o 6:00-6:30: Participants will be provided with poster board, markers, and crafts to
create a poster board of goals. The idea is that the goals will be at three levels,
individual (what do I want to accomplish for myself?), family (what do I want to
accomplish for/with my family?), and school wide (what can I do to support the
schools goals?). During this time, teachers, staff and administatrion will be
creating their own goals to show that the school is invested in this as well.

Middle of January: Reflection letter sent home. As part of a homework assignment for
students and as an activity for them to do at home, students and their families will be
asked to complete a reflection. The reflection will ask them "On a scale of 1-10, how
satisfied are you with your progress towards your ____________ goal?" And at the end,
write a show response on changes they'd like to make to reach their goal, or amends
they'd like to make to their goal.

End of January: (1 hour) School family and community members will be invited into the
school auditorium to reflect on goals and activity as a whole. The ideas is that family,
staff, students, and community members will be able to have organic conversations on
whether goal setting was beneficial or what they'll know what to do next time
o 5:30-5:45: Coffee and pasties will be provided
o 5:45-6:15: Mingle, discuss, participate time
 o 6:15-6:30: End reflectionparticipants will be asked to share their thoughts on
this process via writing and can be anonymous (ideally a community of monthly
goal setters will be created in which individuals can support one another during
their monthly goals).

Inclement Weather
In certain parts of the country, schools may have delays and/or closings due to inclement
weather. Some examples of inclement include snow, floods, fog, extreme cold, and extreme heat
(elevated heat index or air quality). In the event the conditions do not allow for safe
transportation to and from school buildings or do not allow for safe learning conditions, families
must be aware of what to do.

Agenda:
Daily: Updates will be sent to parents and families via online platforms. School delays or
closings can also be accessed by viewing the school website. Cellular applications can
also be accessed for current information regarding delays. Additionally, schools will
update families on various news stations in regards to inclement weather. Families will be
encouraged to follow up with inclement weather procedures with their individual schools
in regards to make up days, transportation, before and after school care, and morning
breakfast procedures at school (in instances of a school delay).

Monthly: Newsletters will be sent in print and via email giving directions to families on
how to access media outlets that will give information on media outlets. For example, in
the Washington DC Area there would be a list of news stations and radio stations ;
WPGC 93.9 or FOX 5. Families will be sent a postcard sized information sheet with
important information in regards to inclement weather and will be encouraged to post this
sheet in a place at home that is easily accessible.

Parents and families will be engaged by being given the opportunity to submit tips for
school closing days: activities, safety tips, and local community areas that may offer
assistance as well. Platforms for online educational sites will also be provided to families
as activities for students to do if school is cancelled for the day.

February
My History Poetry Slam!
Overview:
As a celebration for black history month students will perform a poem for their parents. These
poems will illustrate student advocacy and history of African American culture.

Agenda:
Week 1: Students will begin discussing history of African American people, starting in
Africa before enslavement
 o Teacher will send out letter to parents about poetry slam at the end of the month.
attached will be a flyer to return regarding snacks or decorative supplies they can
bring. resource: tolerance.org
Week 2: Students engage in past and current civil rights actions
o Teacher will use resources from tolerance.org to create plan of action for poetry
slam.
Week 3: Students will learn of renaissance movement and current poetic movement and
begin to create their own poems about civic engagement. one group of students will do
research on civic engagement at board meetings, board positions, and parent advocacy to
present to parents.
Week 4: Students will finish poems, one group of students will prepare presentation for
parents about how they as parents can be more involved in the community.
Poetry Slam can be on Friday the 24th, Monday the 27th, or Tuesday the 28th.

Expected Outcome: Student and parent empowerment and knowledge of advocacy in their
community

March
Overview:
International Women's Day is traditionally celebrated the 8 th of March. Activities will be created
during this month to bring awareness to issues surrounding women in the world, and to celebrate
the women in our classroom and the women in their families. This is also an excellent
opportunity to incorporate multiple generations into the classroom. Student's final product will
be to create a collage, composed of words and images relating to the political, economical, and
social achievements of women. There will be a gallery walk where family members will learn
and see the showcase of their students work. Students will then be giving this piece of work to a
woman in their lives who embodies the strength and resilience celebrated on IWD.

First week: History of International Women's Day (IWD)

o Study of the origins of IWD
o Dialogue of reasons why IWD is important/not important
o Connections to modern day
Provides opportunity for students to discuss important women in their
lives and community and bring IWD closer to their community
Second week: Theme of year's IWD (2017Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it Up for Gender
Equality) (https://www.internationalwomensday.com/)
o Students will study the modern issues that surround Gender Inequality
o Students will brainstorm and dialogue in regards to "How can we "Step it Up for
Gender Equality?"
Third week: Preparation for Galley Exposition
o Students will start creating their art pieces
Students will be using words and images from magazines, newspapers,
etc.
Students will be have freedom on size of collage
little guidance will be given to promote individuality and further creativity
o Themes will revolve around IWD in general, or that year's specific theme
 Fourth week: Galley Walk Exposition
o Students and family members will participate in an Art Gallery Walk in which
different student pieces are showcasing the political
o Families will be asked to ask the artists about their interpretations on International
Women's Day and that year's theme
o As opposed to 'bidding' or 'buying' an art piece, family/community members to
write on a piece of paper their thoughts about the pieces, explain how the pieces
make them feel, that way students can get validation and feedback on their art.

April
Overview:
In order to ensure that students are prepared for the following school year, as well as for the
ending of the current school year, it is best to continuously keep parents and administration
informed as to which students are facing challenges with the material. By keeping all parties
involved, all can work together to help the student achieve higher levels of success, whether it be
in the current school year, or in the following school year. Partnerships with families is important
as a students education can be continued at home at the end of the school day, during weekends,
and during school holidays. It is the teacher's responsibility to do what we can in order to help
our students achieve.

Beginning of April: Parents will receive a letter home in regards to concerns about the
level their students progress so far this year. Parents will be asked to sign up for a
conference time that fits both the teachers and parents schedule. The letter will be
translated into the native language of the families by the county prior to being sent home
for non-English speaking families.
Mid- April: Conferences: The parents and teacher will meet to discuss intervention
strategies that have been used with the student during the year to assist the student with
meeting grade level goals. Data will be presented and explained in regards to the
effectiveness of the intervention strategies. Families, along with the teacher will discuss
additional ways to help the child make growth for the remainder of the year (both at
home and at school). Translators will be made available for non-English speaking
families. Teachers will meet with administration to discuss data/invite them to attend the
meeting/discuss retention.
End of April: Parents will continuously be informed with weekly reports as to the
effectiveness of the new interventions being used. If no progress, or not enough progress
has been made, following the procedures laid out by your district, families will be
informed of retention.

May

End of Year Testing - May is the month where students will participate in mandated state and
national testing. This event is a good opportunity to communicate with parents about best
practices to help prepare their students for the test as well as to share information about what to
expect on the tests. It is also an opportunity to rally parents together to support their children. We
will be hosting a potluck breakfast on the first day of testing. We will also be providing a "late
breakfast" every subsequent day of testing for students who come to school late and miss the
school breakfast.
Agenda:
One Week Prior to Testing - Send home communications with students giving parents a
cheat sheet regarding what will be on the test and how they can help their child prepare
(get a good breakfast, get a good nights sleep, etc.). We will also send home an invitation
to our testing kickoff breakfast. This document can be created by the schools guidance
team and distributed by classroom teachers.
7:00 am (First Day of Testing) - Testing Family Breakfast/Pep Rally - The school will
provide a potluck-style breakfast for families and students. This will ensure students get a
healthy breakfast and set the tone for the week. At the breakfast there will be a station for
parents and other family members as well as teachers and faculty to write encouraging
notes to students. The notes will be distributed to the students prior to the start of testing.
The PTO can work to set up the breakfast. The encouraging note station can be run and
put together by the student council.
7:30 am (Every subsequent day of testing) - Late Breakfast - There will be a grab-and-
go late breakfast for students who are tardy to school and have missed the school
breakfast. This can have items like granola bars, hard boiled eggs, cheese sticks, etc. It is
important that students who come to school late still eat a healthy breakfast so that they
are successful on their tests. This can also be set up by the PTO and they can
fundraise/accept donations for the breakfast items.

June

Field Day - Field day will be held on the last week of school. It will be a variety of athletic
challenges and just fun, outdoor activities to celebrate the students hard work. Parents will be
invite to join in some challenges as well as to volunteer to run some of the activities.
Agenda:
8:00 am - Field Day Kickoff - The students, faculty and families will gather for a 30
minute pep rally/kickoff. This will be change to get everyone excited for the day, share
logistics, celebrate student successes and thank families for being there. This kickoff will
be lead by administration and P.E. coaches.
8:30 am - Parents, volunteers and all non-classroom teachers running activities and
events will disperse and get set up. Students will return to classrooms to change into field
day clothing and listen to classroom specific instructions from teachers.
8:45 - 11:00 - Field Day Events - Students will rotate to the different events and
challenges with their classes and grade levels. Parents will be assisting in the running of
events, distributing snacks/water, and shadowing classrooms to participate with students.
 11:00 - Lunch - School will provide brown bag lunches so that classes may eat picnic
style lunch and parents can join. This gives parents an opportunity to casually eat with
their children.
11:30 - Final Tug of War Challenge - Teams will compete for the tug of war
championship in previously formed teams. Teams can be mixed grade level and can
consist of students, faculty and parents. This gives families (especially those with
children in many grade levels) the chance to all come and play together.
12:00 - Awards Ceremony - The final event will be a gathering of everyone to give out
awards, thank parents, students and faculty for a great year and distribute popsicles to all
of the hardworking athletes. This can be run by PTO and guidance team.

Grade Level Picnics

Grade level picnics will be a culminating event on the last day of school to celebrate students and
engage with school community and families. School will provide lunches (brown bag style) and
families and parents will be asked to donate items for an ice cream sundae bar. Parents will have
the option of purchasing a school brown-bag lunch or can bring their own food from home. The
picnic will take place at the school field and will occur at the grades designated lunch time (this
way if a parent has children in a few grade they can attend both picnics and not choose between
kids).
Agenda:
One week prior - Parents will sign up and begin sending in donations for the ice cream
sundae bar. PTO can also assist in the collection/fundraising for these items.
Two days prior - Invitations - Students will create invitations for family members they
wish to invite during the school day. They will bring home the invitations and invite their
family members to attend.
Last Day of School Lunch Time - Picnics - Classes will send two students to the cafeteria
to collect the classs brown bag lunches. Class will move to the field where they may sit
and enjoy their picnic lunches. Families will meet their children on the field to eat lunch
and socialize with the teachers and students.
End of Lunch - Ice Cream Sundae Bar - Classes and families will migrate to the
cafeteria where administration, guidance counselors and resource teachers will be waiting
to serve up ice cream for the make your own ice cream sundae bar. Each person will be
given a scoop of ice cream in a bowl and then will walk down the tables of toppings
where the servers will assist in creating their sundaes. Students and families can then
find seats in the cafeteria to sit and enjoy their ice cream sundaes.
Final Student Evaluations
Final student evaluations will consist of final report cards and the opportunity for parents to
come in and discuss and conference with the teacher. These end of the year conferences will be
optional but will provide families the chance to speak one on one with the childs teacher about
successes, areas for growth and some next steps they may need to take over the summer or at the
beginning of the year. Report cards will be distributed the last day of school but parents may
choose to sign up for a before-school or after-school conference during the second to last week
of school. Parents may also opt for a phone conference if there are no times that they are
available to come into the school. Classroom teachers will take responsibility for setting up the
conferences and maintaining the schedule.