Engagement Tool Box
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This resource page provides guidance and tools in support of the district’s engagement values and policies, and includes tip sheets, planning advice, and sample materials. The page is not a comprehensive list, but rather a tool box that will continue to be developed as new learnings emerge, and one that should be seen as a resource to aid schools wherever they are in their own efforts. Your are also invited to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to this page.
Schools are invited to contact their Engagement Team Liaisons for coaching and consultation.
- Welcoming Opportunities
The responsibility to partner in service of student success is equally shared by schools, families and students, yet the onus is on schools to extend the invitation to partner. Proactive opportunities to welcome families and students into our communities, and provide resources and guidance, set the stage for relationship building.
- Communications
The district and our schools commit to communication methods that are welcoming and accessible to our student and family populations. This includes interpretation, translation into high incidence languages, as well ensuring that messages are jargon free. To the extent possible, communications should be personalized and provide for two-way dialogue or response.
- Fostering Roles Parents Can Play to Support Student Outcomes
Research points to five caretaker roles that are proven strategies for supporting students’ academic success. Schools can help families by maximizing opportunities to inform, encourage and foster these roles.
- Parent/Family Partnership
Many tools for building proactive partnerships with families begin with proactive and ongoing communication (see above for Communications Tools). There are many ways to continue and deepen that partnership. Linked here are just a few ways to consider.
- Parent/Family Shared Decision Making
School improvement is best accomplished through a shared decision making process that involves all stakeholders. Equitable engagement requires school leaders to share power with students, families and staff. In such a model, school decisions are centered on students and inclusive of considerations for context, community, and capacity. Schools can foster shared decision making by establishing inclusive opportunities to bring parents, students, and educators together for collaborative governance.
- Student Voice and Shared Decision Making
The Student Involvement in Decision Making Policy promotes student voice and leadership by providing guidance to both schools and students on governing opportunities at the school and district level, while effectively ensuring inclusion of the district's high school students on district level governing bodies.
