Engaging families today has become simpler, thanks to the variety of communication tools at your disposal<\/a>. In this post, we’ll explore these channels and how you can maximize them to drive family involvement in your school community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joyce Epstein\u2019s Framework<\/a><\/strong> provides six areas where schools can involve families:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re already working on these fronts but want to improve, let’s discuss four practical ways to enhance your family engagement strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Modern families are always on the go, and they expect information at their fingertips. Creating a mobile-first strategy<\/a><\/strong> helps you meet them where they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start with a responsive website that works seamlessly on any device. Include mobile notifications<\/a><\/strong> that alert parents of important updates through text, email, social media, and your website. Consider implementing a branded mobile app<\/a><\/strong> that integrates all your school\u2019s communication efforts, giving parents a convenient, central hub for accessing their child\u2019s assignments, grades, and upcoming events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most effective ways to promote engagement is by letting families share their stories. Feature content from involved parents\u2014like testimonials, blog posts, or newsletter contributions\u2014to showcase the benefits of engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, ask a parent volunteer to write about their experience helping in the classroom. This content can inspire other families to get involved, highlighting what they and their children gain from participation. Additionally, work with your PTO to maintain a dedicated family-run website<\/a><\/strong> or section on your school\u2019s site for these stories. Just ensure all content is approved and aligns with your school\u2019s communication strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parents are active on social media, which makes it a valuable platform for engagement. Use Facebook<\/a><\/strong> or Instagram<\/a><\/strong> to post event updates, student achievements, and school news. Social media<\/a><\/strong> is also an excellent way to share visuals from school events, making parents feel more connected even if they couldn’t attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Want parent input on important school decisions? Get them involved early through online surveys. You can use a service like SurveyMonkey<\/a> or Google Forms<\/a> to create and distribute online surveys to parents. The outreach can be done through email, social media, and even on the school website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A short, five-question survey<\/a> could be enough to pique a parent\u2019s interest in a particular menu or to spark some online conversation. For example, assume you send out a survey on changes to the school\u2019s art program. A parent may complete the survey and immediately become more interested in the outcome. That could drive them to attend meetings, become involved in planning committees, and help formulate the school\u2019s decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Project Appleseed, a non-profit organization dedicated to public school improvement, has assembled a cool parent involvement survey\/report card. Even if you’re a private or charter school, this survey<\/a> is still a good one to use as a model if you’re serious about assessing parent involvement at your school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building strong partnerships with families can dramatically improve student outcomes. By adopting a mobile-first strategy, encouraging family-created content, leveraging social media, and using surveys to foster dialogue, your school can enhance family involvement and, by extension, student achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re ready to improve how your school engages families, explore SchoolStatus<\/a><\/strong>, a platform designed to help schools connect with families, simplify communication, and track engagement for better outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":16047,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[485],"tags":[290,87,77,268,477,479],"class_list":["post-14381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-school-websites","tag-collaboration","tag-communication","tag-engagement","tag-family-engagement","tag-school-districts","tag-social-media"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n