Dina Hartford-Stipetic, M.Ed. BCBA’s Post

"In many communities around the world, there have never been clear ways for parents and teachers to connect and genuinely partner to support students. A generation of mothers and fathers have made efforts to help kids learn, but not necessarily in partnership with teachers. Likewise, most teachers spend their careers with no roadmap for welcoming parents as collaborative partners. When the COVID pandemic made the already spotty and often ineffective communication between families and schools even more difficult, it was clear than communities needed to make progress on this key aspect of the learning landscape. That’s why Parents as Allies was born. This global, collaborative project — led by Kidsburgh.org, grounded in research by the Center for Universal Education (CUE) at The Brookings Institution and including valuable partnership with HundrEDorg and Learning Heroes (US)— was launched in 2021 to help school districts and the families they serve hack this challenge...." https://lnkd.in/eRgcNgBP #schools #families #teachers #parents #familyschoolpartners #familyschoolengagment

#ParentEngagement #EducationMatters #StudentSuccess #SchoolCommunity #ParentInvolvement #EducationStrategies #SupportLearning #FamilyEngagement #InclusiveEducation #VolunteerInSchools #ParentEducation #CommunicationInEducation #HomeLearning #FosteringSuccess #CommunityPartnerships #EmpowerParents Engaging Parents in Children's Education: Strategies for Success(Part 2) 👉 Encourage Home Learning Activities Schools can provide resources and guidelines for home-based educational activities, encouraging parents to engage with their children's learning. The Center for Public Education found that students who engage in regular educational activities at home perform significantly better in reading and math assessments. 👉 Build Strong School-Community Partnerships Collaboration between schools and community organizations can enhance resources and support for families. Partnering with local businesses, libraries, and nonprofits to offer enriching programs can further engage parents. The Final Verdict Engaging parents in education is a multi-faceted endeavor that requires commitment and creativity from schools. By establishing clear communication, offering educational opportunities, and creating a welcoming environment, schools can foster meaningful parental involvement that supports student success. The positive impact of engaged parents underscores the necessity of integrating these strategies into educational systems worldwide.

We know that chronic absenteeism is an emergency, with nearly 16 million students missing almost 4 weeks of school. My recent op-ed in The 74 Media uncovers the challenges youth and families face, and highlights some creative solutions.   The 20 community schools in the Children's Aid network are on the frontlines of this educational emergency. In the 2022-23 school year, these schools saw a 4% average decrease in chronic absence. How exactly are community schools keeping students in school?   Starting success mentors programs  Forming social-emotional support groups Prioritizing accountability We must continue to work together to keep students learning; lessons from community schools are just the first step. Read my full op-ed to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dvMpfuua

Building strong connections between Schools & Families At Nature's Lab School, we know that a strong partnership with families is the cornerstone of student success and well-being of parents, children, amd staff members When we actively build connections with our students' families, we create a support system that nurtures every child's growth and development. Parents become an integral part of their children's educational journey, and together, we ensure that each child is supported through the good, the difficult, and the unexpected moments of early childhood. A positive parent-school relationship empowers parents to better understand their child's strengths and challenges. It also enables us, as educators, to tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each student, and as. team work together to create the best outcome for everyone involved. Here are a few ways we can strengthen this connections: Open Communication: Regular updates and open lines of communication help parents stay informed and engaged. Parent Workshops: Offering resources and workshops on various aspects of parenting can provide valuable support. Family Involvement: Encouraging parents to participate in school events and activities strengthens community ties. Support Networks: Creating platforms for parents to connect with each other fosters a network of mutual support. Feedback Channels: Welcoming feedback from parents helps us improve our practices and address any concerns promptly. By nurturing these relationships, we create a caring and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. Let’s continue to work together to support our students' well-being and guide families through the wonderful and challenging journey of early childhood. https://lnkd.in/g4iPFMx3 #Education #EarlyChildhood #ParentEngagement #StudentWellbeing #Community #SupportSystems #BuildingBridges #NaturesLabStrong ##ExperientialLearning #BilingualEducation #SocialemotionalEducation #OutdoorLearning #HappyKids #BestTeachersInTheWorld #literacyoutdoors #STEAMeducation #LearningThroughPlay #CuriosityExploration #OurFamiliesRock #SchoolGratitude #SchoolFamily

Empowered parents and caregivers are key to transforming educational outcomes for Missouri students. The first step is making sure parents know the state of #MOEducation. We are especially inspired today by our colleagues at Activate STL. Read more about how they are training parents and teens to advocate for #QualityEducation in Missouri: https://lnkd.in/dtRsvtsE

Choosing the right school for your child is a significant decision. While no school is perfect, it's essential that children feel welcomed and safe to learn. So, how do you select the best school? Gail Smith shares insightful pointers to help you navigate this crucial aspect of raising children. Read on for expert tips and guidance on making this important choice. #theprimaryyears #gailsmith #parenting #children #family #school #HowtoChooseSchool

"I can't tell you the number of families who say their kids are anxious or depressed -- and they're little ones, 4 or 5." This is from a front page piece in today's New York Times entitled, "Pandemic-era babies are now school-age, and lack basic skills." It will be critical in the next few years that we build stronger partnerships between educators and families. My book, On The Same Team: Bringing Educators and Underrepresented Families Together, provides practical steps to enhance our capacities as educators to successfully meet this challenge. Families are a vital and often untapped part of the solution, and when we more effective engage them, all the outcomes we care about dramatically improve! #familyengagement #family #teachers #school #schooleadership Solution Tree TalkingPoints NAFSCE (National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement) Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Edutopia - George Lucas Educational Foundation https://lnkd.in/gANbM-sw

Reminder to everyone especially teachers .. This month as our older kids results are announced make sure you don’t only focus on the school toppers but you also show attention to the kids who did the extra work - The kids whose days didn’t end with the final bell, the kids whose breaks didn’t follow a school calendar. The kids who spend their evenings being shuttled to speech, or PT, or OT or remedial classes. The kids whose schedules include services and therapies, on top of everything else. The kids who needed extra help and support. The kids who struggled to overcome barriers—whether physical, mental, or was emotional. The kids who didn’t follow the typical schedules, hit the expected milestones, take the traditional path. The kids who needed different strategies and tools to help them learn. The kids who learn and not able to retain information due to brain fog and anxiety. The kids who keep trying and trying but the brain isn’t willing to process the information. The kids who struggle in reading and writing and have difficulties with spellings. These kids worked so hard, too. They’re tired, too, even if their success seem smaller or maybe even completely unnoticeable to most at this particular time. There likely won’t be any awards for them at this point of the year, or special recognition for how far they’ve come. But take it from me—they worked SO dang hard. Don’t forget to acknowledge their efforts. Because what might be a small hurdle on the track for most kids, could be a Herculean task for a kid who has to try 10 times harder just to make it to the starting line. These kids might not excel in traditional ways, but there’s nothing unexceptional about them. Because they work harder for every win, and they don’t take a single bit of it granted. These are few of the kids out there working just as hard for that “C grade” as the other kids do for that “A grade ” Let’s be careful with the words we choose or the way we behave. It can break or build the child’s confidence. There are thousands of neurodivergent children struggling in mainstream schools because the environment is not suited to their needs. They also often fail to be placed in special educational needs schools as they fail to meet the required criteria for access. This creates an 'educational limbo' and means there are thousands of children not given a fair chance to meet their full potential. This gap needs to be closed and a support structure created. So,teachers when the kids come to school to collect their mark sheets your coworkers are crowded around the bubbly, highest achieving students, that have all the chords, and were in all the clubs, YOU make a point to find that student that rarely spoke, struggled with your class, back bencher and hit them with the most inspirational words you can pull out of the well. Because that student has just climbed their Everest. Your words can motivate that one child today to do well in life. - Joy

In a rapidly changing educational landscape, the community school model proves to be a beacon of resilience and adaptability. By integrating community resources and support systems, these schools empower students to overcome challenges, fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. This NYT article sheds some light on how these schools go beyond traditional teaching, recognizing the profound impact of community involvement on the learning process. From the Article: Beyond Academics: Community schools prioritize more than just academic achievement. They recognize the importance of addressing the various challenges families face, creating a supportive environment for students to thrive. Holistic Support: The concept of community schools has gained renewed attention during the pandemic. These schools aim to provide comprehensive support, including mental health resources, access to social services, and engagement with the local community. Family-Centered Approach: Emphasizing a family-centered approach, community schools acknowledge that a student's success is intricately linked to the well-being of their family. By addressing broader issues, such as housing and healthcare, these schools create a foundation for effective learning. Equity and Inclusion: Community schools contribute to fostering equity in education by recognizing and addressing disparities in resources and opportunities. This inclusive approach aims to bridge gaps and ensure that every student has the support needed to succeed. All of this is THE DREAM for those working in education...creating a school that is more than just simply an educational institution but a places of community and service. 💙🧡💙 The old model is outdated. It's time for change. #CommunitySchools #HolisticEducation #EducationForAll #EquityInEducation #FutureOfLearning

As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, it's essential to address the significant impact on our children's education. This article by The New York Times sheds light on the extent of learning loss many children have experienced. For 25 years, Raising a Reader has been committed to supporting educators and those working with young children and their families through our evidence-based programs. Here are just four ways we help address learning loss:  *Building Early Literacy Skills: Encouraging regular reading habits, fundamental in developing strong literacy skills from an early age.  *Fostering Family Engagement: Involving families in the reading process, creating a supportive home environment that reinforces learning.  *Expanding Access to Diverse Books: Ensuring that children have access to a variety of books that reflect their experiences and cultures, making reading more relatable and enjoyable.  *Supporting Social-Emotional Development: Focusing on literacy and the emotional well-being of children, helping them to cope with the stresses of learning in a post-pandemic world.  Together, we can help our children recover from learning loss and set them on a path to academic success. https://lnkd.in/gZqqrCUY     #RadicalCollaboration #StrongerTogether #EarlyLiteracy #RaisingaReader #LearningRecovery