× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Planning for engagement Setting objectives Schools wanting to promote family-school relationships should first consider the following questions: What do we know about our students’ families, their daily lives and environment? What fears and barriers do they experience? What channels of communication do they respond to? Running meetings for parents has proved to be the most effective engagement strategy, but shared activities such as family picnics can also build relationships. Involving bilingual workers and community leaders provides an opportunity to discuss significant underlying issues that parents/carers are most concerned about. Determine whose needs you are trying to meet. The most effective approach is to address issues at the top of parents’ hierarchy of needs, rather than the peripheral issues. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1Overview 2Involving key staff 3Identifying the target groups 4Targeting communities 5Working with community partners 6Setting objectives 7Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1 Overview 2 Deciding on a format 3 Setting the agenda 4 Seeking parent and student input 5 Choosing an appropriate time 6 Finding a suitable location 7 Arranging childcare 8 Arranging catering 9 Arranging transport 10 Inviting families 11 Translating information 12 Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1 Overview 2 Creating a welcoming environment 3 Seeking consent 4 Addressing parent concerns about camps 5 Catering for cultural dietary needs 6 Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7 Addressing discipline issues 8 Reporting on student progress 9 Holding parent-teacher meetings 10 Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Planning for engagement Setting objectives Schools wanting to promote family-school relationships should first consider the following questions: What do we know about our students’ families, their daily lives and environment? What fears and barriers do they experience? What channels of communication do they respond to? Running meetings for parents has proved to be the most effective engagement strategy, but shared activities such as family picnics can also build relationships. Involving bilingual workers and community leaders provides an opportunity to discuss significant underlying issues that parents/carers are most concerned about. Determine whose needs you are trying to meet. The most effective approach is to address issues at the top of parents’ hierarchy of needs, rather than the peripheral issues. Resources 0 Course menu Introduction 1 Welcome tour 2 Getting started 3 Overview 4 Benefits of engaging families 5 Issues for migrant and refugee families 6 Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1Overview 2Involving key staff 3Identifying the target groups 4Targeting communities 5Working with community partners 6Setting objectives 7Allocating resources Planning meetings & events 1 Overview 2 Deciding on a format 3 Setting the agenda 4 Seeking parent and student input 5 Choosing an appropriate time 6 Finding a suitable location 7 Arranging childcare 8 Arranging catering 9 Arranging transport 10 Inviting families 11 Translating information 12 Arranging interpreters Meeting management 1 Overview 2 Arranging seating 3 Preparing and managing interpreters 4 Greeting parents 5 Keeping the discussions on track 6 Building trust 7 Exploring expectations about school involvement 8 Explaining practical systems and roles 9 Seeking feedback from parents 10 Sustaining parent involvement Ongoing support 1 Overview 2 Creating a welcoming environment 3 Seeking consent 4 Addressing parent concerns about camps 5 Catering for cultural dietary needs 6 Discussing welfare concerns with parents 7 Addressing discipline issues 8 Reporting on student progress 9 Holding parent-teacher meetings 10 Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Acknowledgements 1 Acknowledgements Resources 0
