Family Engagement Plan

Our school has staff member(s) available for families to discuss this plan and ask questions:

• Principal:  Bee Lee
• Assistant Principal:  Nick Revac
• Content Coach:  Sarah Carlsson

Our school communicates with families in many ways, including:

• Teachers may send home a weekly communication sheet to keep families informed about upcoming classroom activities.
• Monthly newsletters are sent home to inform families about school events and share accomplishments.
• Our website is up to date with news and announcements. Pictures are posted to share family events. 
• All e-mails, texts and robo-calls made throughout the year that pertain to upcoming school events are communicated with the languages of our families in mind, and the needs of our parents.
• It is our expectation that our staff respond to family requests and questions within 24 hours.
• We engage with families on Instagram and Facebook and post frequent updates about school and community events. 

The achievement gap, or rather the “opportunity gap,” between students of color and white students in Saint Paul Public Schools is unacceptable. Our school is working to change practices and systems by identifying the barriers that make it harder for students of color to succeed and for their families to support their learning. 

• For more about our work on racial equity, contact: Bee Lee.

Transitions between schools can be challenging, and we work to help families as their children start and leave our school. 
For new students and families, we support the transition by:

• Tours are available throughout the year for newly enrolled families, as well as prospective families. 
• We host a fall Open House during the week prior to the start of school. This event allows families to meet their child’s new teacher, visit the classroom and receive important information.
• Families with students in our pre-K  program have an opportunity in the spring to visit Kindergarten on our PreK Family Day. Families participate in a group discussion to talk about strategies for supporting the transition and grade level learning at home.

For students and families moving to the next school in their pathway, we support the transition by: 

• Fifth grade students may go on a field trip to our pathway schools, Creative Arts and Washington to learn about the middle school program.
• Fifth grade students experience a mock-middle school day. 

Our school-parent compact establishes the shared responsibility for student success between the school, families, and students. Families and teachers work together to develop the compact.

• Copies of the compact are available upon request and on our website.
• The compact is updated each spring.

There are many opportunities for families to build connections to the school and to each other.

• The Title I Annual Meeting, where we will share information about school programs, will be during our fall Open House in September.
• National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) 
• Culture Celebration Night is celebrated in May to recognize the many cultures represented in our school.  
• Two music concerts are offered – one in the winter and one in the spring. 
• A January Open House welcomes potential new students and celebrates music, science, literacy and math with a variety of hands -on activities for families and students.
• Clearly communicate opportunities available for families to participate in field trips.
• Family Meetings to learn how to better support their children in math and reading.
• Frequent all school events to encourage engagement and connection between school and community.

We work to make these meetings and events available for every family in the school.

• Interpreters are available at every family event. Lyfts are also provided for those that need transportation.
• Events are offered both during the day and during the evening to meet the needs of various work schedules. 
• Flyers are translated and phone calls are made to include all families.
• Events are communicated through text, phone call, email, student platforms and social media. 

Our school supports families as advocates and provides opportunities for parent leadership

• Families are invited to give input into our SCIP, School Compact,  and Family Engagement Plan.

Our school shares information about student achievement with families in multiple ways:

• Progress Reports will be shared during fall and winter conferences. Progress reports can be found on the one stop.  spps.org/onestop
• Parent-Teacher conferences are held in November and March.
• Parents in grades pre-K through 5 are invited to visit classrooms and discuss strategies to improve reading and math during Family School Days and before PTO meetings
• Achievement Data is shared at our Annual Title 1 Meeting
• APTT Conferences (Academic Parent Teacher Team) Conferences with some classrooms

Our school will engage in personalized learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement.  Families can get more information using many tools.

• Information about personalized learning is shared with families via newsletters and emails.  
• Teachers share information with families about Schoology and Seesaw and expectations for these learning tools.

Many before- and after-school enrichment and support opportunities are available for students.

• Extended Day Learning (EDL) meets twice per week to support students in math and reading.
• YMCA Beacons has an after school program twice per week.
• Partnerships for sports clinics and camps.

Our school develops community partnerships to provide additional support for students and their families:
Saint Paul Music Academy with the following partnerships:

• East Side Learning Center
• Children’s Dental Services
• Wilder Foundation Mental 
• Neighborhood House
• YMCA Beacons

Saint Paul Music Academy also has community partnerships in the arts and academics:

• Minnesota Orchestra
• Minnesota Opera
• Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• Como Zoo
• Junior Achievement
• Minnesota Math Corps
• Washington Technology Magnet Navy JROTC
• Steppingstone Theatre
• Ordway Theatre
• Minnesota DNR
• Saint Paul Parks and Rec
• Tickets for Kids