Chair, Ramona Basilio, partnerships@bcptacouncil.org
November is Family Engagement Month!
National PTA Position on Family Engagement in Education
National Family Engagement Month is a time to recognize the important role families play in their children’s education and well-being. Research shows that family engagement is essential for student success and well-being. Students whose families are engaged are more likely to: attend school, avoid discipline problems, achieve at higher levels, and graduate high school. National PTA supports family engagement in a number of ways, including:
- Family Engagement Solutions, a website that provides programs to strengthen family engagement and family-school partnerships. Decades of research shows that family engagement is just as essential as rigorous curriculum and effective leaders and teachers to accelerate learning. National PTA and the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University teamed up to launch Family Engagement Solutions, a free online tool to help find evidence-based family engagement programs. Check it out at FamilyEngagementSolutions.org, and watch the recording of the webinar Family Engagement: The Foundation for a Strong School Year.
- Center for Family Engagement: offers grants and fellowships to support leaders in advancing family engagement in PTAs
- National Standards for Family-School Partnerships which highlights key practices for effective family engagement, including: Welcoming all families ~ Communicating effectively ~ Supporting student success ~ Speaking up for every child ~ Sharing power ~ Collaborating with the community
- Take Your Family to School Week: a week-long celebration of family engagement
October 14-18, 2024 is Digital Citizenship Week! Read how PTA Council is supporting this important campaign!
2024-25 Initiative: Responsible Cellphone Use Campaign
Details of this campaign are highlighted on the homepage of our website!
Earlier Initiatives:
PTA Parent Liaison Teams (West Zone Pilot Project):
We’re looking for parents, guardians, and caregivers to create a network of “community builders” in elementary and secondary schools in the West Zone. Parent Liaison volunteers will connect parents with services, resources, training, and joint programs offered by local units and community partners. Consider naming a Parent Liaison! This person will be supported by our FSCP Committee Chair.
ESOL-PTA Student Bridge Project Taskforce (Spring Kickoff):
This taskforce between the PTA Council, PTA units, ESOL Welcome Centers, and ESOL area schools will work on the Bridge Project, an extension program to connect ESOL/EL students and their communities when transitioning to their home schools. The project will feature after-school “homework helpers,” enrichment activities, and networking opportunities for parents and caregivers.
For more on how your unit can get involved, email familyschool@bcptacouncil.org.
From National PTA: PTAs Leading the Way in Transformative Family Engagement
PTAs and Transformative Family Engagement
The 4 Guiding Principles of Transformative Family Engagement
Use these 4 I’s to amplify your reach and ensure every child’s potential becomes a reality:
- Inclusive family engagement embraces and values
diverse perspectives. - Individualized family engagement meets the unique
needs of every family and child. - Integrated family engagement connects and align with
the educational system. - Impactful family engagement empowers families to
support their child’s success