Creative Connections: Communication Strategies to Reach Diverse Families

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Creative Connections Communication Strategies to
Reach Diverse Families

• Presenter Victoria Moreland
• Center for the Improvement of Student Learning
• OSPI Summer Institutes 2007
• Spokane/Vancouver/Auburn

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CISL

• Increase access to information and resources
• Improve learning and teaching
• Promote academic success
• and equality for all students

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WHAT TO EXPECT

• Understanding of communication strategies for
  creating family friendly schools
• What do you expect?

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RESEARCH SAYS

• Effective communication with families is
  essential in building partnerships, and serves as
  the foundation to build other home-school
  activities.

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OSPI

• Nine Characteristics of a High Performing School
• 1. Clear and Shared Focus
• 2. High Standards and Expectations for All
  Students
• 3. Effective School Leadership
• 4. High Levels of Collaboration and Communication
• 5. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessments
  Aligned with State Standards
• 6. Frequent Monitoring of Learning and Teaching
• 7. Focused Professional Development
• 8. Supportive Learning Environment
• 9. High Level of Family and Community Involvement
• For a complete listing, definitions,
  explanations and implementation
• suggestions of all Nine Characteristics of a
  High Performing School,
• visit www.k12.wa.us

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JOYCE EPSTEIN

• Six types of involvement
• Parenting
• Communicating
• Volunteering
• Learning at home
• Decision making
• Collaborating with community

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COMMUNICATION TIPS

• Ask how families wish to keep in touch
• Various grade levels- different strategies
• Keep it simple
• Communicate in various learning styles
• Communicate in an understandable and uniform
  formatno educational jargon
• Address communication DEAR FAMILIES

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COMMUNICATIING DIVERSE FAMILIES

• Communicate in families native language
• Identify best approach strategy
• Sensitivity and understanding
• Have patience- takes time for families to build
  trust
• All cultures want success for their child

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COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

• EPSTEIN HANDOUTS
• BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOLS
• Conduct effective communications from school to
  home and from home to school about school
  programs and childrens progress
• DESIGN EFFECTIVE FORMS
• School-to-home and home-to-school communications
  about school programs and childrens progress.

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CREATIVE EXAMPLES

• SHARE EXAMPLES
• OTHER GREAT EXAMPLES

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COMMUNICATION EXERCISE

• Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez,
• The multidisciplinary team will meet to outline
  your childs educational plan in light of recent
  examination results. Your presence at the
  meeting is highly desirable. Please respond
  affirmatively in writing that you will attend the
  meeting at 200p.m. on May 6, in the learning
  resource center.
• Sincerely,

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GROUP EXERCISE

• REVISE HOME-SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
• Identify Strategy
• Group 1 Home Communication Survey
• Group 2 Parent/Guardian Communication Form
• Group 3 Conference with School
• Group 4 Invitation to Attend School Event

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COMMUNICATION BENEFITS

• STUDENTS
• PARENTS
• TEACHERS

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KEY RESOURCES

• School, Family, and Community Partnerships Your
  Handbook for Action. Joyce L. Epstein, Mavis G.
  Sanders, Beth S. Simon, Karen Clark Salinas,
  Natalie Rodriquez Jansorn, Francis L. Van
  Voorhis. 2002, Corwin Press, Inc.
• Diversity School, Family, Community
  Connections. Martha Boethel. 2003, National
  Center for Family Community Connections with
  Schools, Southwest Educational Development
  Laboratory. www.sedl.org/connections
• Beyond the Bake Sale The Essential Guide to
  Family-School Partnerships. Anne T. Henderson,
  Karen L. Mapp, Vivian R. Johnson, and Don Davies.
  2007, NY The New Press.
• The Nine Characteristics of High Performing
  SchoolsA Research-based resource for school
  leadership teams to assist with the School
  Improvement Process.
• Shannon, G.S. Bylsma, P. 2007, (2nd Ed.).
  Olympia, WA OSPI.
• http//www.k12.wa.us/research/default.aspx
• A New Wave of Evidence The Impact of School,
  Family, and Community
• Connections on Student Achievement. Anne T.
  Henderson, Karen L. Mapp.
• 2002, National Center for Family Community
• Connections with Schools, Southwest Educational
  Development Laboratory. www.sedl.org/connections
• Engaging All Families Creating a Positive School
  Culture by Putting Research into Practice.
• Steven M. Constantino. 2003, MD Rowman
  Littlefield.