Spring, 2003, No. 14 National Network of Partnership Schools
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NNPS Award-Winning Middle School Shares Its Expertise on Partnerships
The experience of a veteran can make a difference to a rookie trying to understand new concepts and skills. Madison Junior High School in Naperville, IL is a NNPS 2002 Partnership School Award winner and can provide a voice of experience to NNPS middle and high schools developing comprehensive partnership programs. Madison’s former Action Team Chair, and current high school parent, Catherine Redford and Principal Erin Anderson talked with Kate Gerne, NNPS Middle and High School Facilitator about the school’s excellent partnership program.
NNPS: What do you think makes this partnership program so successful?
Catherine Redford: The enthusiasm of the parents, the welcoming attitude of the teachers, the appreciation of what parents do, and the principal’s openness all make a difference to the partnership program. Parents are encouraged to bring in ideas and put them into action, so it is truly a program of partnerships between school and home.
NNPS: What are the Action Team for Partnerships’ greatest challenges?
Catherine Redford: It is a challenge to remain relevant and not just do the same things each year. Also, the team does not want to be seen as exclusive or a clique.
Erin Anderson: The biggest challenge is continuing to build the team’s skills and the school’s capacity to get more people involved. We have very supportive parents and community members. Yet many parents have trouble coming out to the school. We have incentives and try to increase the number of parents who attend many activities, but it’s going to take time to get the word out to increase parent participation.NNPS: What advice would you give a new middle or high school just starting to design its partnership program?
Catherine Redford: Do your research. Find out what it actually means to have the six types of involvement in place. Set reasonable goals each year; conduct honest assessments of your family and community involvement activities that will really benefit students. Invite administrators and teachers to give their input. Make sure your Action Team is strong.
Erin Anderson: My advice would be to start small and do a few involvement activities really well. I keep reminding myself to be patient, because I can see that our program is growing better over time.
NNPS: Do you think any school, including those starting with just a few active parents, can build an excellent partnership program?Catherine Redford: Yes, I do think it is possible. It only takes a few people to start a program and to build on it. There are some really good guidelines from NNPS in place, so a new school doesn’t have to start from scratch.
Erin Anderson: Absolutely. I think that there are a lot of things that any school can do that don’t have a high price tag to them. Start small; build the enthusiasm, which then becomes contagious; and acknowledge what you have—all schools can acknowledge the available resources and not worry about what they don’t have.
Catherine Redford and Erin Anderson’s comments provide useful information for all middle and high school Action Teams for Partnerships. For example, use the research-based NNPS guidelines to build your program; set goals and plan activities that reach all families and all students; implement activities with the help of lots of families; and evaluate your partnership practices and program. Start small and build on your success to improve each year. As Catherine Redford says, “People like to join successful things!” Madison Junior High School’s success can be every school’s success.
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