× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Planning meetings & events Setting the agenda Plan and advertise a meeting or activity with a definite purpose or topic in mind. Research shows that parents are more likely to attend a meeting for a specific purpose rather than a general ‘get to know you’, which is often not taken seriously by busy parents who are juggling many needs within the family. Send home invitations to attend the meeting in the home language. Parents will appreciate the effort. An interactive bilingual ‘General Invitation’ note is available in 35 languages on the NSW Public Schools website. The English version appears in the resources section. Where possible, involve parents in setting priorities for meetings or activities beforehand. Remember to allow time in the meeting agenda for interpreting. You may only cover half the content in the same amount of time needed for a meeting with an English- speaking audience. Non school-related sessions Some schools offer sessions that may not be strictly school-related, but motivate parents to build relationships with the school such as running sewing, computer or English literacy classes or providing Centrelink or immigration information sessions. You may be able to combine these events with some discussion about school-based issues or rotate sessions so that school issues are covered every few meetings. As well as enhancing parents’ skills and giving them a positive experience of school engagement, schools which use creative channels to engage parents also define themselves as community resources. Resources 2 Invitation to a school function Write an agenda 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 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 1Overview 2Deciding on a format 3Setting the agenda 4Seeking parent and student input 5Choosing an appropriate time 6Finding a suitable location 7Arranging childcare 8Arranging catering 9Arranging transport 10Inviting families 11Translating information 12Arranging 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 2 Invitation to a school function Write an agenda
× EXIT Opening the School Gate | Planning meetings & events Setting the agenda Plan and advertise a meeting or activity with a definite purpose or topic in mind. Research shows that parents are more likely to attend a meeting for a specific purpose rather than a general ‘get to know you’, which is often not taken seriously by busy parents who are juggling many needs within the family. Send home invitations to attend the meeting in the home language. Parents will appreciate the effort. An interactive bilingual ‘General Invitation’ note is available in 35 languages on the NSW Public Schools website. The English version appears in the resources section. Where possible, involve parents in setting priorities for meetings or activities beforehand. Remember to allow time in the meeting agenda for interpreting. You may only cover half the content in the same amount of time needed for a meeting with an English- speaking audience. Non school-related sessions Some schools offer sessions that may not be strictly school-related, but motivate parents to build relationships with the school such as running sewing, computer or English literacy classes or providing Centrelink or immigration information sessions. You may be able to combine these events with some discussion about school-based issues or rotate sessions so that school issues are covered every few meetings. As well as enhancing parents’ skills and giving them a positive experience of school engagement, schools which use creative channels to engage parents also define themselves as community resources. Resources 2 Invitation to a school function Write an agenda 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 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 1Overview 2Deciding on a format 3Setting the agenda 4Seeking parent and student input 5Choosing an appropriate time 6Finding a suitable location 7Arranging childcare 8Arranging catering 9Arranging transport 10Inviting families 11Translating information 12Arranging 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 2 Invitation to a school function Write an agenda
