Jihan Atiq, Wally Loague, Kate Barr, Lisa Trychta, Jessica Jozwiak, Don Perry (Principal), Linda Cusak, and Lisa Kolick (NNPS Key Contact).
Meeting the challenge to involve more families
Kennedy Junior High, a three-time award winning school, wanted to increase outreach to involve more families. The SFCP team asked: Do families from all ethnic and cultural groups know what opportunities are available for them to volunteer at the school and for the school? Do all families feel valued in our school community? Luncheons were conducted in February and May to discuss these questions with teachers, administrators, school counselors, a community member, and eight active parents who represented the diverse cultures in the school. In a spirit of open dialogue and collaboration, the attendees brainstormed ideas to improve the welcoming climate for all families and to increase volunteers.
For example, plans are in place to conduct six evening forums over the next two years entitled, The Cultures of Kennedy. Each program will focus on one of the school’s cultural groups, with presentations by Kennedy parents and community members, followed by Q & A and desserts from the highlighted culture. Teachers will integrate information in their classrooms about the selected cultures preceding the forums. The SFCP noted that, although more must be done, great strides were made at the two planning meetings. The educators and parents realized that all voices were needed to find solutions for increasing volunteers and to obtain input from the diverse families in this school community.
Reach results for student success in school
The Open House Technology Walk was held during Kennedy Junior High School’s evening Open House in February of 2007. Families received “passports” when they entered the school. Students served as tour guides and were stationed in classrooms to answer questions about the role of technology to enhance learning in various subjects. More than 300 families attended and submitted their passports to show that they traveled the world of technology throughout the school. To recognize participation, the returned passports were entered into a drawing at school the next day for kid-friendly gift cards.
The activity was developed when the SFCP team discussed how to improve the school’s Open House Night – a time when many families visit the school. The team wanted to increase active participation and meet a goal of helping families understand the increasing role of technology in instruction and in student’s learning. More families attended and were actively engaged, in part, because students served as experts – taking the lead to answer parents’ questions about technology in different subject classrooms. Plans for next year include adding a role for the students’ Technology Club to improve an already successful event.
See Kennedy Junior High School’s prior Partnership School Awards in 2001 and 2006. Also see examples of activities in Promising Partnership Practices on the website, www.partnershipschools.org, in the section Success Stories. Visit the school at www.ncusd203.org/Kennedy.