4 Family Engagement Tips to Implement from the Start of the School Year
A child’s academic journey is most successful when it’s supported by a bridge between home and school. Right from the start of the school year, fostering family involvement creates a team atmosphere that benefits everyone—especially students.
Here are four ways for educators and school administrators to build a strong, active partnership each year.
MEET AND MINGLE: BUILDING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL-WIDE
Before the academic pressure kicks in, hold low-stakes events that allow families and staff to connect.
At the Classroom or School Level
- Summer Meet and Greet: After class lists are finalized, host an informal gathering at the school playground. This is a low pressure way for students to connect with new classmates and for families to put faces to names before the first bell rings.
- Family Book Club: Select an appropriate book for each grade level. Encourage families to read one chapter or section a week and host a monthly Book Bash (in-person or virtually) where students and/or families can share their thoughts and act out their favorite scenes.
- Family Game Night: Transform the gym, cafeteria, or a classroom into a hub of play! Set up stations with:
- Classic board games and educational challenges
- Movement-rich activities such as hopscotch, musical chairs, limbo, or Simon Says
- A Design-Your-Own Board Game station complete with materials
- Age-appropriate video games for groups, particularly dance games
REGULAR COMMUNICATION: CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL-WIDE
In the midst of school schedules, work schedules, and extracurricular activities, months can fly by. Consistent communication ensures no family feels out of the loop.
At the Classroom Level
- Monthly Calendars: Strive to send home a monthly visual overview of curriculum themes and topics, upcoming tests, and important classroom and school events.
- Classroom Apps: Use digital tools for quick reminders. In a mobile-first world, a quick app notification often gets more views than a flyer placed in a backpack.
- A One-Stop Class Website: Create a simple teacher site where families can always find current assignments, announcements, and news.
At the School Level
- Weekly Recap and Look Ahead: Principals and school administrators should aim for a Weekly Recap and Look Ahead. Include the past week’s successes, reminders of upcoming events, and FYIs. Also include clear action items for families to ensure they feel like active participants in the school community.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL-WIDE
Students love seeing their family members in their school. Create a variety of ways for families to get involved.
Pro Tip: Use web-based sign-up tools so families can locate slots that fit their schedules.
- At the Classroom Level: Invite adult family members to monitor small groups, read stories aloud, or help facilitate a hands-on science experiment, for example.
- At the School Level: From the media center and book fairs to field trips and athletic events, there are so many important roles for family members to fill, regardless of whether their child is participating.
Pro Tip: Most school districts require volunteers who interact with students to complete a background check or other forms. Place applicable website links and downloadable forms on your school’s homepage.
EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SCHOOL
Position the school as a resource for the entire family by hosting informative, family-friendly workshops and school-wide events.
At the School Level
- Guest Speakers: Invite local authors or community leaders to discuss topics that matter to the families at the school.
- Health and Wellness Fair: Partner with local pediatricians, nurses, dentists, sports medicine specialists, nutritionists, psychologists, or other medical professionals to provide free information and screenings. Ask local businesses and healthcare providers to set up informational tables, donate health-related prizes, serve as guest speakers, or provide their services to families free of charge. This is a valuable service that shows the school cares about the whole child as well as the community.
- Family Education Series: Hold interactive sessions on important educational topics such as reading strategies, growth mindset, managing screen time, test-taking strategies, or effective study habits.
- Pro Tip: Share the live sessions via Zoom or another web-based format and record the sessions to share them on the school’s website for families who can’t attend in person.
MOVING FORWARD
These engagement strategies can help teachers and administrators build the foundation of a lasting partnership. Creating a vibrant school community is a team effort that extends far beyond the school. When teachers and administrators bridge the gap between home and school, they create a powerful support system where every child—and every family—can thrive.
The Walkabouts Platform, a web-based kinesthetic learning solution for pre-K to 5th grade students, boosts engagement and retention through short, movement-rich lessons that activate the elementary curriculum. More than brain breaks, the lessons are correlated to state and national standards and help educators seamlessly integrate physical activity and mental fitness into academic lessons, helping students learn better and feel better.
