Authentic partnership activities contribute to creating a school atmosphere that is warm and welcoming and helps students achieve significant success. According to Epstein et al. (2018), a framework of six types of involvement is an excellent way to select or design such activities. In accordance with the framework, type 1 involvement is parenting activities, which provide a space for parents of students to communicate with one another and with a school’s staff. One such activity I would like to happen at my school is PreK Parent Breakfast, similar to the one at Bell City School in Bell City, Louisiana (Epstein et al., 2018). It is a gathering in a cafeteria where parents meet the school personnel, ask them questions, and receive useful resources. KLAY Schools (2019) notes that the first day of preschool is a major milestone that opens a new chapter in a child’s and their parent’s lives. This is why it is important to help relieve the transition and start good communication between home and school, which a parent breakfast can help do.
Another type of involvement activity is type 2, communicating activities, which facilitate cooperation and improve understanding between parents and teachers. A communicating activity I would gladly participate in is Move-Up Night, like the one at Arden Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina (Epstein et al., 2018). This is a great way to prepare children and their families to transition to the next grade or level before the prior year ends. As per Brukner (2021), closer to the beginning of autumn, many students get nervous thinking about what lies ahead of them. Move-Up Night helps prevent it from happening and increases children’s comfort and familiarity when the time to go back to school comes.
Type 5 involvement is decision-making activities, that is, activities enabling families to participate in school life. A decision-making activity I would like to see arranged at my school is Surveys for Success, just like at Vista Elementary School in Kennewick, Washington (Epstein et al., 2018). This activity helps gain feedback from parents on what school activities they find most interesting and beneficial and on what they feel could be improved. According to Power School (2021), parent engagement leads to student success, and a survey is an excellent way to gauge what parents think. This is how schools can ensure that they meet the needs of their families and make necessary arrangements.
References
Brukner, L. (2021). Strategies that help students manage transitions. Edutopia. Web.
Epstein, J. L., Sanders, M. G., Sheldon, S., Simon, B. S., Salinas, K. C., Jansorn, N. R., VanVoorhis, F. L., Martin, C. S., Thomas, B. G., Greenfield, M. D., Hutchins, D. J., Williams, K. J. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships: Your handbook for action (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
KLAY Schools. (2019). Making the transition from home to school smooth and happy. Web.
Power School. (2021). Why parent engagement is important to student success. Web.