School and Community Connection – Digital Promise

School and Community Connection

An image of two adult figures with a young child kneeling by a flower planter.

About the Priority Challenge

Schools endeavor to engage families in ways that go beyond traditional parent involvement indicators—such as attendance at student performances or classroom volunteering—by focusing on families’ role in supporting their children’s learning and by leveraging families’ strengths and resources. Schools also aim to support families’ involvement in their children’s academic goal-setting, decision-making, and study skills, and to enhance their home literacy environments.

Districts seek ways to help families stay connected with what happens at their children’s schools. They strive to inform parents and caregivers about key initiatives, actively gather family input, and provide opportunities for families to partner with the school and share decision-making. As part of the community they serve, districts hope to build community buy-in and to create ways for stakeholders (e.g., local businesses, service providers, and other residents) to get involved.

Challenge Statistics

Showing inclusion and belonging not only gives an idea that the school acknowledges the students but the teachers as well. This can be done by doing activities, like an end of the year sports festival…. Parents are also welcome to come and watch.

—Student

[It’s important to be] a truly equitable, sustainable system that gives each and every child the education and care they need to develop a sense of personal purpose, the ability to sustain healthy relationships, a sense of place in the community, success in school and the workplace, and engaged citizenship.

—Educator

Students cannot be great students when they are picked on and bullied or are hungry and get no support at home. Somehow that must be addressed. More social workers in every building, especially at the elementary level, is so important.

—Educator

Our community is rich with talent and skill. We would love to help a young person develop a passion. And it’s so good for young people to be with others of all ages. [It] develops social skills and a sense of self. And [it is] a reminder that life is so much more than themselves or their circle of friends. [It] teaches them to think outside themselves. This community involvement might be volunteering or shadowing or listening to a presentation or taking a day or two during a weekend/school break/early release to try something new.

—Community Member

What School Communities Say They Need

School staff and community members share ideas below to better engage families as partners and advocates for the learning taking place in their community.

Consistent communication and collaboration between school and community

Educational classes and resources for families

Distribution of information and resources that can benefit the community

Digital Promise Projects and Resources

Explore the tiles below to learn more about projects and resources that aim to strengthen school and community connections.

Resource
Description

A licensed therapist, school counselor, and mental health consultant shares how she supports schools, administrators, and counselors to look at their current resources, assess needs, and make counseling services more accessible to all students.

Local education agencies engaged teachers in the research, design, and development of innovative solutions to address challenges posed by pipeline issues and teacher shortages.

Description

A licensed therapist, school counselor, and mental health consultant shares how she supports schools, administrators, and counselors to look at their current resources, assess needs, and make counseling services more accessible to all students.

Description

Local education agencies engaged teachers in the research, design, and development of innovative solutions to address challenges posed by pipeline issues and teacher shortages.

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