Why is family engagement important? Strengthening school-family partnerships boosts academic success, social-emotional well-being, and positive behavior in students. When schools implement effective family engagement strategies, families feel more connected, while schools benefit from improved staff morale and deeper community involvement.
Shifting from involvement to genuine partnerships builds trust and collaboration between educators and families. This transformation creates inclusive, culturally responsive schools where everyone feels valued, ultimately driving student success and improving school outcomes.
The white paper 6 Practical Ways to Develop Authentic Family Partnerships by Ari Gerzon-Kessler, offers practical strategies for early childhood and elementary schools, focusing on building relationships and two-way communication. Key strategies include opening communication, personalizing outreach, being proactive, highlighting student successes, prioritizing trust, and creating a team approach to strengthen families and educators' capacities.
Explore how to build school-family partnership practices that align with your school’s goals and support student growth through a team-based approach.
“Deepening our ties with families is one of the most overlooked ways to become better educators for our students.”—Ari Gerzon-Kessler
Take the first step by downloading the white paper, 6 Practical Ways to Develop Authentic Family Partnerships.