#resiliencechat Archive
Co-moderated by Dr. Robert Martinez and Sara Truebridge, #resiliencechat focuses on promoting resilience amongst educators and students.
Monday September 12, 2016
10:00 PM EDT
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Welcome! I'm ready for an engaging -- Are you? Speaking of engagement...Our topic tonight: Parent Engagement
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Feeling more tired than resilient, but I am here.
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Who is out there in land???
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It's WHOO-man!! Good to have you here, as always!
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Hi and all. Hope everyone is well...
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Good to be here, a lil' tired,and hav a chapter to read b4 turning in tonight for class
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Hi there, Debbie!!! Always great to see you here at !
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Hi there Debra! Hope you are well, too!!!
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Yes, I have a lot of reading to do tonight too.
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Hi Travis! Good to see you here at !
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Awwwww...so kind of you to say that!
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Good evening all, I'm not seeing tweets in the feed. Anyone else having this problem?
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OH NO!!! Not again! I thought I cleared this up!! Say it ain't so!!
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I'm seeing her, but then again, I didn't have this problem b4 so
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Tonight it's all about Parent Engagement.
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I can see pop up in tweetdeck
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Sending Rob the questions for
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Parent engagement, huh? I have a few things to say about that.
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I am going to start with a little Tidbit
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Tidbit: Parent engagement in schls is linked to better stdnt behavior, higher academic achievement & enhanced social skills.
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Tonight's Topic: Parent Engagement--- Co-pilot taking the helm.
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https://t.co/EEAeKlhrtN
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Tidbit: Parent engagement in schls is linked to better stdnt behavior, higher academic achievement & enhanced social skills.
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Tidbit: Parent engagement is linked to better stdnt behavior, higher academic achievement @ enhanced social skills
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I will try to put Q1 out there...here goes...
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Rob and Thomas will back me up ;)
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Q1: How has parent engagement in school made a difference to you, your work, your students or your child?
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Q1 How has parent engagement in school made a difference to you, your work, your students or your child?
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Helps when a parent feels welcome. Much more likely to want to be part of a team effort. https://t.co/2nmgAlC8jm
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Tidbit: Parent engagement in schls is linked to better stdnt behavior, higher academic achievement & enhanced social skills.
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Q1 How has parent engagement in schl made a difference to u,your work, your students, or your child? https://t.co/cRuW64s6XE
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Q1: How has parent engagement in school made a difference to you, your work, your students or your child?
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A1 A huge difference. Unfortunately sometimes I've had to bulldoze my way into participation.
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FYI...under virtually all tweets, it says "This Tweet is unavailable."
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Please remember to use in your responses.
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A1: Parent engagement has been essential. Schools cannot do it alone. It takes a village to raise a child.
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A1 It's given me something as a teacher to work toward, increasing parental involvement in my class/school.
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A1 I've been told "go play on the freeway." When teachers and therapy staff act like they know more, it's a disaster
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Hmmmm...I thought I fixed this problem. I have to go back to Twitter once again!
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A1: I teach HS, many Parents are not as engaged but would like to be. Reach out, it makes a difference.
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A1: Educating the whole-child does not happen without the support of parents and community.
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A1 Mrs n me put 3 girls through K-12 from ’97 to ’15. Sad to say until in ’13 I didn’t know what I didn’t..
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Well, that's interesting.... Any solutions?
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A1a As a parent, I think being involved lets my kids Ts know that I value what they are doing &am their partner in learning.
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A1: I have noticed that parents seem to be helpful when we are working toward a common goal for our student
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As we include parents, aren't we also modeling to our children that their lives matter? https://t.co/ZOOooaqaUr
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A1: Parent engagement has been essential. Schools cannot do it alone. It takes a village to raise a child.
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Yes, it is so impt. to do the reaching out to parents.
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A1 Parent engagement is key ... if they don't care than why should the kids care? The Apple --- Tree analogy applies here
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A1 When staff couldn't get Kid O to cooperate with them, me stepping in helped them. Not that I was invited to.
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A1b We made it to teacher conferences, curriculum night & the various recitals. But that was it. Engaged as most buy 4 what?
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I find that many more parents care than we think but often don't know how to get involved.
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A1 A parent shouldn't have to barge in. It's their child. Staff should show some respect.
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Sometimes we have to put that "Open for Business" sign out so they know it is ok to come in
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Sometimes you just have to advocate a bit stronger when there is difficulty in communication.
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I love this analogy for the situation!
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A1c Number one thing I’d do different knowing what I know now? Pushing back on Ts demand kiddos do homework. No. Just no.
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Jumped right in tonight w/tech issues. Hi, It's Rob from Nor Cal. Who else is here tonight?
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A1: When Ss see that I'm on the same side as their fam, and we're working together to support them, it makes a huge impact.
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No, it's not.I've been judged harshly instead.Three times through the DCFS wringer.Simple communication helps
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The tech wizards aren't working tonight so will try again next week. Goodnight all.
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Q2 What are some ways to go about increasing parent engagement in school?
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Sorry for no , I'm on it now.
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Short of acting like a bull in a china shop.
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A2: Sharing projects with them and the community. Worksheets are graded and thrown away - showcase the work.
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A2: It's about trust, communication, and being geniune. Fams have to believe you have the best intentions for their child.
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This is definitely what I have noticed too!
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Absolutely. When I feel I am at ease, it is easier for me to take critiques of certain things.
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A1: we want engaged parents, it is their job to advocate for their child, it is our job to ensure it is positive advocacy
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A2 Reach out in many ways. Social media, before/during/after school events. Just being welcoming when interacting.
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A2 anytime the Ss or child is involved helps - celebrate their work their learning their needs
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Sorry I'm late...multitasking at a foundation meeting. Great to "see" you all!
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So great to see you too, Lisa!
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A2. Directly asking parents is something we just discussed - tapping those whose help we need. Finding authentic connections
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A1 When I barged in on therapy session with Kid O, I was able to get to the heart of the problem.
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Hi, All. Joining late. Re: parent engagement. I agree with all that has been said. However, what do we want from parents?
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"Authentic" is such an impt. word!!
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Yes! The more we support their learning we also their personal https://t.co/WUjRBRN7OP
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A2 anytime the Ss or child is involved helps - celebrate their work their learning their needs
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Not all families know how to advocate or have even been empowered to. Help them!
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So glad you made it here to !
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My parents were involved very little in the life of the school. On the other hand, they made sure my life was structured.
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A2: authentic input on the front end of future directions key for buy in by parents
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A1 There were red flags of course. Hugest red flag: My kids experience was much like mine 50 years before.
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A2: Keep students engaged by encouraging family involvement when possible! Being open and inviting to all parents
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Great to have you here Lisa!
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Can we consider changing the language to families/fams vs. parents? Families are made up in many different ways.
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Hi, Sarah! Thank you! Glad to be here.
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It's interesting...I've worked in schools w/limited P engagement and then in some where the Ps wanted to RUN the school
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All right, sorry I haven't said anything, but I'm sooo tired. I shall go for the night!
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Q3 What do you think about teachers doing home visits?
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Great point! Done! Family Engagement it is. (andsometimes kids have other living arrangements than w/family)
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A2 Give them something worth being engaged in. not every parent wants 2 work the fundraiser ... what skillset do they have?
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Except for this question.... Is this allowed? Are home visits allowed?
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You are ahead of me. I agree. We have a ? coming up about how to engage families.
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A3 - Home visit ... looks nice on paper, but honestly where will the time come from? It is a lot to ask of a teacher
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A3: It's a strategy to increase student achievement.
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Scott from Texas just getting Rocky and Bullwinkle out of the creek. Squirrels are weird pets. Lurking for now.
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Hoe visits have been allowed in all the districts I've worked in.
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A3 I like the idea but it isn't something we do at my school. Reminds me of changing lines of "normal" from when I was a S.
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A1 Kid O didn't want to hear her deceased teacher's voice on her buttons. Once they recorded over that, she cooperated.
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A3: I am very curious here -- I have never experienced this or planned this. Looking forward to ideas and thoughts of others
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Always great to have you--we'll take you lurking but hopefully you will not be able to hold back!!
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Ah, so Home visits are more district-determined?
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Why yes, however, I like the idea of engagement, get in the neighborhood of our kids.
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The times when it has been done, it has been the tchr's choice.
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Very positive. My parents attended open houses, parent-teacher meetings. Mom even chaperoned a field trip.
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This could happen in the summer to just build relationships with families.
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There is quite a bit of research around home visits too.
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Will join but more as a reader tonight. Best to all from Prof Susan at Bradley U. Have 50 students taking online exam now.
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Not necessarily. I have seen it be more teacher-driven
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That's ok, good to have you here!
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Walking the neighborhood is one of the first things I often do at the beginning of the sch yr
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A3: there are some real barriers in rural areas plus some people value their privacy, real challenges
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YES! Another way is to send a letter/note to the child & family during the summer. Mail is fun!
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Normal is only a perception.
Just blink. Things will change. https://t.co/bb30oiuBd2
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A3 I like the idea but it isn't something we do at my school. Reminds me of changing lines of "normal" from when I was a S.
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Hi There!!! Hope you are doing well!!!
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A3: I think that they can be valuable. But some parents may not be comfortable with this.
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Q4 What are some ways to engage families who might work 9-5? And, how can we connect with all family members?
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Thank you for sharing! My parents were very similar - lots of structure til I started HS
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Good point. Being respectful is a must!
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How about if I dont live in neighborhood? Do it anyway?
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Joining late! Casey from Iowa!
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Just arriving.
A3 We're a boarding/day school. Much as I would like to home visit, say, Seoul, Korea... :-)
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Hi Casey!! Glad you could make it to
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Me, too. Same. :) . And, you're welcome. Thank you for your interest.
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I spent summers in my 2nd grade teacher's house as she lived next door. Can't imagine having Ss in my home now.
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I think it's about the willingness to learn about your kids. Show you care, connect w/parents. https://t.co/am6ReUZq8f
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How about if I dont live in neighborhood? Do it anyway?
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A4: setting SEESAW as a way to increase connection and transparency. https://t.co/yNmQkGKPdN
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Q4 What are some ways to engage families who might work 9-5? And, how can we connect with all family members?
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A4: A simple phone call can go a long ways and it takes very little time. Parents mainly want to be informed.
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I used to go to my 4th grade teacher's house to and even vacation with her family!
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A4: There are so many events at night and on weekends at schools. Make sure lots of options and make it easy to be involved
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I like it when teachers call me, especially when they really have time to talk.
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A4 For starters, we're consciously using the word "families" rather than "parents," to be more inclusive.
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Hi
Carl from Avonsleigh Australia
lurking while I do some work
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Yes, providing options is a must. And also sending things home so they can do things like prep wk for you.
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A1 getting to know & work with parents is key to my role as an advocate for GT Ss. I have most Ss for at least 4 yrs.
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A4. You need to know your community. What times will reach the most families and how possible is it to offer a variety.
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Love having you lurk from Australia!!!
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A4 Family initiatives include 7:30 coffee time, plus organizing birthday parties for boarders & tailgate parties for games.
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A4)
We recently ran a father / child night at 8th grade
and mother / child night at 7th grade
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A2: Reach out. I invited senior parents to come in and learn with their kids this year. We'll see what happens!
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A4 mixing up days and times also there's the beauty of technology periscope and FaceTime can also be a virtual connection
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A4: projects fairs that run simultaneously with PTI are good way to bring in 9-5s without additional stress
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A4: I remember that fams work all diff. schedules, & host events at diff. times & comm. in the most convenient way for them.
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Ms. AK and I really connected on a deeper level. We used to have really great phone conversations. I still miss her.
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Can you share a bit more Scott?
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A3: I've heard of visits being effective but I wonder about safety/privacy.
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YES!! And I did a lot of work in urban areas with Grandparents who were raising their grand-kids.
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A4: Offer options beyond the raffle, bake sale, chaperoning...
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A4: Take your s's to their work. We can’t forget about the learning opps. that exist beyond our walls and in our cities
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Touche! Have any examples to share?
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A4: Follow the CASE model for your outreach efforts. Be creative, authentic, strategic, empathetic. https://t.co/RpWodeP0bd
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A4: Family engagement nights, open house for project night. Workshops?
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True...inconvenient truths...
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If you have public social media accounts, odds are they already are there. https://t.co/Vh2tnipJpD
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I spent summers in my 2nd grade teacher's house as she lived next door. Can't imagine having Ss in my home now.
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True, there are a number of considerations to be made. Balance of , and not wanting to be
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Making yourself available to accommodate their schedules and through a variety of means of communication!
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A2 parent meetings, conferences, one on one meetings, extra summer hours, calls home, email, being open when parents need me
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Things that can be done away from school i.e. at home. Such as helping to plan an event.
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Anyway, pretty tired right now, so I will turn in for the night, reading the chapter. G'night!
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I don't think any of my grammar school teachers knew how to relate to parents.
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I also found that in some of the urban areas families were uncomfortable mtg at school so had mtgs in their churches.
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A4: Ask parents the best way to connect and be willing to use more than one way.
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A4 Also, over-gendering can be tough. For example, what does a girl who has two moms do for a "father-daughter dance"?
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We have worked a great deal providing skills, and thoughtful authentic ways to engage and connect. https://t.co/y2JyKTHAFk
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I don't think any of my grammar school teachers knew how to relate to parents.
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Hi Kevin! Yes, asking families what works best for them shows that you're accommodating. It isn't just abt you.
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Agreed, 100%. All Ss and fams need to feel welcome!
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Q4: Get events on the calendar so folks can plan around them and send out invites with multiple reminders.
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Q4: Find out families' needs & ask about modes of comm that work best for them don't assume our strategies meet their needs
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I know for myself the best time to serve is during the summer. I have LOTS of time. LOL! Parents need similar options.
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Q5 Some shared strategies are answering this Q: How else can schools increase a sense of family engagement, and inclusivity?
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In multiple languages! In multiple ways - snail mail, online, etc!
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A3 It is a good idea with training & as a team in some situations. Would be easier for a K-5 T over MS & HS unfortunately.
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I'm at parent teacher night so i will get periods of lurking and periods of activity
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That's good. But that doesn't surprise me, Rob.
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Great point, Marie! We must never make assumptions.
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Great point, Marie! We must never make assumptions.
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Question:Any great engagement ideas to share with HS Ts?Parent breakfast,carnivals,etc popular w/elem but what about HS?
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Yes it was mentor not parent. Sorry
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Greetings to all from Prof Susan in central IL. Resurfacing here now that the univ term/year is under way. Will read thru
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A5: Invite parents to participate in a book study. Invite parents to follow a school hashtag.
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A5: Learn your families's communication preferences: language, online, mail, backpacked letters, in-person, text, call, etc.
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Like right now I've had 3 parents arrive early and my next appoitment is not until 12:51
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A4 Set after hour meetings & conferences, provide food if possible. Make it easy on the families. Call home. Email.
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My son's HS would have Ss do presentations of wk and lots of Ps would come to that. Having food helped too!
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A5: Make maximum use of social media: texting, email blasts, blogs, Facebook, Twitter...
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Or a child w/o a parent or both. Know first hand. Impactful but not in a positive way. https://t.co/CC2dW53OoY
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A4 Also, over-gendering can be tough. For example, what does a girl who has two moms do for a "father-daughter dance"?
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Supporting - Ask youth to develop some activity events, new or existing (school plays)
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We are on the same wave length about the food!!
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A5: I think schools could look into planning events for all families that really relate to different types of people!
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We need to ask, then we need to follow through, and then follow-up. https://t.co/AqvNupCoi5
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A5: Learn your families's communication preferences: language, online, mail, backpacked letters, in-person, text, call, etc.
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A2 Don't say things like, "you know your child better than anyone else," & then ignore us.Invite us in.Most of us don't bite
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A5 Find ways to level the field. Interpreters, serve dinner, provide child care if you want to give info w/o distraction.
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Finally resurfacing. Hope to be more regular henceforth!
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Great idea! (...and GREAT to see you Christine!)
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A5: By encouraging them to advocate for their children. Give them the questions to ask teachers. https://t.co/RFuPVuQh1W
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A5: I like the idea of including families but many HS aged Ss/Ps fade out of school involvement.I'm at a loss.
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Also, provide childcare. Whenever there is an event at my school, students volunteer to care for the younger children.
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A5: Make sure your fams are actually welcome: Do you have translators/translated signs? Are you respectful of their time?
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We did a "World Cafe" at our school and it would be great for a HS too!
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A3 If teachers could do home visits and set aside judgments about my messy house, then I'd welcome it.
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Yes, when we support our children's families, and care givers, we support each child. https://t.co/g418oUBnr5
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Supporting - Ask youth to develop some activity events, new or existing (school plays)
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The best advice I've taken to heart in this is "Be the teacher you would want your child to have."
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I think if you can provide childcare then that is a big bonus for many parents.
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A5 Our HS has offered things like pizza, child care, flu shots, & more as part of conference night. Add what families need.
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Great tips group! Thanks!
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I like this! Cross-age interaction and service.
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A4 First family member to connect with is Kid O. Just because she can't speak, doesn't mean she doesn't understand.
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A5: Free Food, Fun, and Prizes. If you build it they will come.
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We have an outstanding Cultural Exchange night. Best event all year! https://t.co/ztdTtUOLDo
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A5: I think schools could look into planning events for all families that really relate to different types of people!
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A4 Most people talk about Kid O instead of to her. Act like she's not in the room.
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Q5: Being sensitive to your customers, planning around their schedule not what is best for your own schedule!
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I have also been part of a Parent University where we have brought in speakers and served dinner.
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A5: In short: Remove as many barriers as possible.
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A5: know of some elementary schools that provide child care on parent council meeting evenings, great barrier removal
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A4 Act like we are a normal family even though we are far from it. We don't conform, but we love our kids.
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Q6 The issue of is huge w/parents - How can we ensure that our actions align with our words, & are authentic?
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I'm starting a P book-gp this yr too. (Well more like an "article-group" where we share issues & short articles around them)
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Oh, that upsets me no end! One reason we do student-led conferences on Family Weekends.
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It's the best - for the little ones, and for the students.
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A4 Don't ignore the special needs in the room, but don't strictly focus on that, either.Our girls are not their disabilities
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Tell us more abt this event if you could, Scott. I hope it goes beyond just food. ;)
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A6 I think seeking honest feedback - anonymous if need be - can be one helpful action. Building trust one moment at a time.
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That is good. Not sure how Kid O could do that, but if she could speak, she'd work the room.
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This is why I think schools need to adopt more of a customer service mindset: Provide what your clientele needs/wants/
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A6: Follow through, if you make mistakes - own up & apologize, communicate, & actually listen to what families have to say!
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Q6: Being genuine and honest. Words are powerful choose them wisely and always follow through and up like
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A6: Be sincere, supportive, communicative, and honest with students/fams and make expectations clear for the same respect!
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Exactly. A school can sponsor too many events. Great point!
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https://t.co/Thn4GtkGe3
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A6 I think seeking honest feedback - anonymous if need be - can be one helpful action. Building trust one moment at a time.
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:-)
I think a written presentation might work - possibly multimedia.
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A6: feedback that is anonymous most likely to be the brutal honesty we sometimes need
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Super response Katie! https://t.co/R5753OuYhc
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A6: Be sincere, supportive, communicative, and honest with students/fams and make expectations clear for the same respect!
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A5:build relationships build partnerships build trust events have no meaning if there is no real desire to be inclusive
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A5 Remove that NIMBY attitude. Don't sweep Kid O under the rug, wheelchair and all.
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A6: I think the Golden Rule is huge here: Treat others as you want to be treated.
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A6 Start w/ cultural proficiency training for Ts as a first step. Interactions should involve active listening by the T.
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A6 I think it's important for educators to be involved in the community beyond school activities. Then we connect w more.
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Humbled Thank you for the compliment! https://t.co/JGUC1LkepC
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Q6: Being genuine and honest. Words are powerful choose them wisely and always follow through and up like
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Interesting thought. That just might work.
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Agreed, be a problem solver for them! Assist them with what is holding them back, barriers!
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This was the only rule I would post in my room for years!
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And then as that feedback is acted on and trust built, eventually you won't need anonymity to the same degree.
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Great minds think alike. :)
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I am so loving all these ideas tonight. We even have the lurkers engaged. ;)
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A6 Be our oasis. So many other people have put me under the microscope that it would be great to have one place to be me.
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This is so true. Creating safe environs for all is a must and goes a long way!
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Q6 What would you like to tackle this year with respect to family engagement and/or communication?
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I love this: "Be our oasis."
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Families share their heritage and culture thru food, dance, music, photos, artifact and F2F sharing https://t.co/nhj3lGZJiS
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Tell us more abt this event if you could, Scott. I hope it goes beyond just food. ;)
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Agreed and be ready for it! Listen to understand not to respond Recognize and address growth area!
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Q7 What would you like to tackle this year with respect to family engagement and/or communication?
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Q7 What would you like to tackle this year with respect to family engagement and/or communication?
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Nice! Do you just do one a year or more?
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We are. But, many schools operate as less than. As a collective, we need to do better.
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A6: I'd like to bridge the gap b/w home and school.I've tried to plan efficiently to lessen hw& respect family time.
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A7: We're really working on translating - signage, handbooks, memos home, translators w/ pins on at open school night.
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A7: Something I want to work on is communicating in more (& more effective) ways!
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A7 Going to *try* to get back to positive calls home each quarter. Insta-toddler threw that (& everything) off last year
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YAY!!! I wish more tchrs would do that--lessen hmwk to increase family time. Good on you!!!
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A7: Pick up the phone more. Don't always use email as first line of contact.
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Q7 - WOW What are you going to do tomorrow as a result of today? !
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Q7 - WOW What are you going to do tomorrow as a result of today? !
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Will read thru rest of
Need to turn to my online Ss' exams--more to see how they're doing, what the needs are. Best to all!
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Absolutely!! So glad you mentioned this!
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Yes, Insta-toddlers have a way of doing that! ;)
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Once a year but it garners largest crowd of any event. Packed house! https://t.co/jJNg66zX9S
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Nice! Do you just do one a year or more?
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A7 I want fams part of the academic planning process. Set up meetings to get more involved. More Ps following FB & Twitter.
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Make my calls to my advisees' parents. I'm a day late.
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Remember, each time we act to w/families we have an opportunity to send a positive message to each student.
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A7: Continue regular, positive communications with families.
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Q6: checking our biases and expectations are crucial if we want authentic partnerships with families
