Chapter+6


 * __ School, Family & Community Partnerships __ **

//Research has accumulated that show the importness of school programs of partnership.... 6 types of involvement that helps schools establish **school/family/community** partnerships//

1) **Parenting** - assist families with parenting and adolescent development skills. (//conduct workshops for parents -- help parents approach other important topics such as attendance//) [|Working Together ToolKit] __Challenges__: Get info to those who can't make meetings and workshops at the school Design procedures enabling all families to share info about teachers, counselors, etc.

2) **Communicating** - communicate with families about school programs and student progress via school-to-home and home-to-school contacts. These could include: notices, memos, conferences, report cards, phone msgs, emails, etc. (//provide clear info on how to interpret reports and how to improve grades... also organize effective communication channels to dessiminate info in accurate & timely manner)// [|Tips for Communicating with Parents] __Challenges__: Make communications clear and understandable for ALL families. Develop effective 2-way channels. Ensure students understand and participate in all school-family-community partnerships

3) **Volunteering** - impriove recruitment, training, and schedules to involve parents and others as volunteers in school & out of school to support students and school programs. (//collect info on family members occupations, talents, interests, etc.// organize & improve activities //create opportunities for mentors, coaches, tutors// establish a family center) __Challenges__: Recruiting volunteers Providing flexible hours Providing training & enable volunteers to be able to contribute productively at the school Change def. of "volunteer" to mean any one who supports school goals or students' learning

//4)// **Learning at Home** //- coordinate learning activities at home with students' classwork that contribute to success in school. (//interactive homework, goal setting, curriculum-linked activities - teacher-family contracts, summer-home learning packets, homework hotlines of daily assignments ** WIKI **??) Wiki in a Classroom 1 Wiki in Classroom 2 __Challenges__: Implement regular schedule of work Create procedures and activities that involve families regularly with students on goal setting

//5)// **Decision Making** //- include families in developing mission statement and designing or improving other policies and decisions (//active parent assoc. and family representative on all committees for school. Offer parents and teachers training in leadership, decision making and collaboration ---> these help i.d. and prepare info about the school that might be desired by familiy __Challenges__: Include all races, ethnic, socioeconomic groups, varying geographic communities in leadership roles and parent representatives Include middle grade student representatives in decision-making groups Help parent & teacher members of the community trust, respect, and listen to each other

//6)// **Collaborating with the Community** //- coordinate work of community resources, agenices, civic associations, etc. (//afterschool recreation, tutor programs, health services, cultural events, summer programs, etc.)// __Challenges__: Solving problems associated with community/school collaboration like funding and leadership Include lessons that build non-school skills and talents, club and volunteer work. Inform and involve the family in community-related activities.

Students are offered good guidance and programs that promote their health and safety Educators commited to young adolescents Shared Vision High Expectations for All Adult advocates for every student Positive School Climate Challenging Curriculum Varied Teaching & Learning approaches Assessments & evaluations Flexible Organizational Structures Programs/policies that foster health/safety Comprehensive guidance/Support services
 * Linking Partnerships to Other Recommended Middle Level Characteristics**