ELAD690_52 M6 Discussion on Family Engagement
As a new principal in an unfamiliar school, I would need to learn about existing family engagement by gathering data in order to develop an appropriate plan. According to Ferlazzo, “We need to relate to families, not as clients, but as partners in school and community improvement,” (2011, p. 10). Similarly, we need to engage all stakeholders in the community to support our schools, and educate teachers, that it is a misconception that providing parents with power does not decrease our control; rather, it increases the size of the pie to afford additional opportunities (Ferlazzo, 20011, p. 14).
Initially, I would advertise my new position in a “Who Am I?” format to acquaint myself with everyone. …show more content…
For instance, viewing the previous year’s School Wide Goals or Action Plan would provide an indication of the school’s current path. Of course, meeting with teachers, listening to their ideas of the vision they desire for the school, would be imperative. Furthermore, I would meet with my secretary to create a list of school/parent activities and school/community activities that were currently on our event calendar. This data would offer me insight and provide me with a starting point. For instance, if the school was already conducting parent teacher conferences several times a year, I would not need to work on that, however, if home visits were not on the agenda, that would be a topic I would want to talk about when I met with the …show more content…
A short time later, I would create a Community Advisory Group comprised of stakeholders, begin home visits to engage new families and those that normally would not participate. The advantages of home visits, improving academic achievement, test scores, attendance, and parent involvement, are all positive outcomes I would strive to achieve as the new principal of an unfamiliar school (Henke, 2011, p.
As a new principal in an unfamiliar school, I would need to learn about existing family engagement by gathering data in order to develop an appropriate plan. According to Ferlazzo, “We need to relate to families, not as clients, but as partners in school and community improvement,” (2011, p. 10). Similarly, we need to engage all stakeholders in the community to support our schools, and educate teachers, that it is a misconception that providing parents with power does not decrease our control; rather, it increases the size of the pie to afford additional opportunities (Ferlazzo, 20011, p. 14).
Initially, I would advertise my new position in a “Who Am I?” format to acquaint myself with everyone. …show more content…
For instance, viewing the previous year’s School Wide Goals or Action Plan would provide an indication of the school’s current path. Of course, meeting with teachers, listening to their ideas of the vision they desire for the school, would be imperative. Furthermore, I would meet with my secretary to create a list of school/parent activities and school/community activities that were currently on our event calendar. This data would offer me insight and provide me with a starting point. For instance, if the school was already conducting parent teacher conferences several times a year, I would not need to work on that, however, if home visits were not on the agenda, that would be a topic I would want to talk about when I met with the …show more content…
A short time later, I would create a Community Advisory Group comprised of stakeholders, begin home visits to engage new families and those that normally would not participate. The advantages of home visits, improving academic achievement, test scores, attendance, and parent involvement, are all positive outcomes I would strive to achieve as the new principal of an unfamiliar school (Henke, 2011, p.