× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Introduction Overview Most schools will find that Opening the School Gate is best used as a “dip-in” resource to support them in areas they are not sure about or haven’t really thought about before. The resource is designed to be used by schools to meet their particular needs and is not intended to be prescriptive. Opening the School Gate is designed to provide teachers and other school staff with a range of practical strategies to assist in the process of engaging migrant and refugee families and creating a culturally inclusive school environment. Many schools will already have developed strategies to engage migrant and refugee parents/carers, in which case this resource may offer additional ideas and suggestions. Schools where recently arrived or refugee families are entering or where the engagement of parents has been difficult in the past, may find it useful to work through the resource following the processes outlined. Most schools will find that Opening the School Gate is best used as a resource to support them in areas they are not sure about or haven’t really thought about before. The resource is designed to be used by schools to meet their particular needs and is not intended to be prescriptive. This resource is split into five main sections: Introduction Introduce the issues faced by migrant and refugee families Look at expectations of the school environment Look at the impact of language barriers Look at the impact of family roles Planning for greater engagement (Engagement) Involving key staff Identifying target groups Working in partnership Setting objectives Allocating resources Planning for a parent meeting (Planning) Deciding on a meeting format Setting the agenda Seeking parent and student input Choosing an appropriate time Finding a suitable location Arranging childcare Arranging catering Arranging transport Inviting families Translating information Arranging interpreters Running an effective meeting (The meeting) Keeping the discussion on track Evaluating your strategy Supporting culturally diverse families in your school (Supporting) Creating a welcoming environment Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Resources 3 Harmony Day School's In for Refugees ROADS TO REFUGE Course menu Introduction 1Welcome tour 2Getting started 3Overview 4Benefits of engaging families 5Issues for migrant and refugee families 6Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating 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 3 Harmony Day School's In for Refugees ROADS TO REFUGE
× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Introduction Overview Most schools will find that Opening the School Gate is best used as a “dip-in” resource to support them in areas they are not sure about or haven’t really thought about before. The resource is designed to be used by schools to meet their particular needs and is not intended to be prescriptive. Opening the School Gate is designed to provide teachers and other school staff with a range of practical strategies to assist in the process of engaging migrant and refugee families and creating a culturally inclusive school environment. Many schools will already have developed strategies to engage migrant and refugee parents/carers, in which case this resource may offer additional ideas and suggestions. Schools where recently arrived or refugee families are entering or where the engagement of parents has been difficult in the past, may find it useful to work through the resource following the processes outlined. Most schools will find that Opening the School Gate is best used as a resource to support them in areas they are not sure about or haven’t really thought about before. The resource is designed to be used by schools to meet their particular needs and is not intended to be prescriptive. This resource is split into five main sections: Introduction Introduce the issues faced by migrant and refugee families Look at expectations of the school environment Look at the impact of language barriers Look at the impact of family roles Planning for greater engagement (Engagement) Involving key staff Identifying target groups Working in partnership Setting objectives Allocating resources Planning for a parent meeting (Planning) Deciding on a meeting format Setting the agenda Seeking parent and student input Choosing an appropriate time Finding a suitable location Arranging childcare Arranging catering Arranging transport Inviting families Translating information Arranging interpreters Running an effective meeting (The meeting) Keeping the discussion on track Evaluating your strategy Supporting culturally diverse families in your school (Supporting) Creating a welcoming environment Creating opportunities for meaningful involvement Resources 3 Harmony Day School's In for Refugees ROADS TO REFUGE Course menu Introduction 1Welcome tour 2Getting started 3Overview 4Benefits of engaging families 5Issues for migrant and refugee families 6Issues for schools Planning for engagement 1 Overview 2 Involving key staff 3 Identifying the target groups 4 Targeting communities 5 Working with community partners 6 Setting objectives 7 Allocating 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 3 Harmony Day School's In for Refugees ROADS TO REFUGE
