All schools in NNPS write One-Year Action Plans for Partnerships that outline and schedule family and community involvement activities that contribute to four goals. Two pages of the plan focus on academic goals (e.g., improve students’ skills or attitudes in reading, math, or other school subject). One page focuses on family and community involvement to bolster a nonacademic goal (e.g., improve student behavior or attendance). The fourth page of a plan strengthens the school’s climate of good partnerships. Many elementary schools in NNPS are selecting health and safety as a nonacademic goal that can be attained best when school, family, and community work together with students. Health and safety involvement activities – one-time events or repeated over time – engage parents and others in the community in exciting and productive ways.
Improve Student Health
Some schools conduct large-scale events to promote nutrition and exercise. The Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) at Starr King Elementary School in Long Beach, California, collaborated with the PTO, teachers, and students on the Nutrition Advisory Council, and 12 community organizations to plan and conduct the third annual Family Fitness Fair. Over 250 parents and 150 students attended the event to learn about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. Families participated in activities such as “Ask the Doctor,” yoga, dance, and basketball. A healthy snack booth, obstacle course, and “Run a Mile for a Prize” race attracted participants. Each family’s “passport” was stamped at each activity and entered into a lottery for chances to win raffle prizes, including tickets to a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game. The ATP’s collaboration with many organizations and the goal-oriented focus made the Family Fitness Fair a success at Starr King Elementary.
Some NNPS schools conducted year-long health initiatives in 2008. Lincoln Elementary School in Wausau, Wisconsin, implemented three six-week Fitness Challenges for students and families. One of Wausau’s district goals is to promote and support a culture of wellness throughout the school community. Lincoln’s ATP encouraged all students to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity, five days a week. At the end of each six-week challenge, Lincoln hosted an assembly to recognize all participants. Some raffle winners received donated items, including a bicycle, sports equipment, and gift cards. All participants earned a free one-day pass for their entire family to the local YMCA. The Fitness Challenges not only encouraged students’ exercise, but also promoted family time for children and parents to share activities such as biking, hiking, and other activities.
Increase Safety at School
One way to promote and increase safety for students is to have parent volunteers serve as in-school monitors and mentors. Cumberland, Maryland’s John Humbird Elementary School instituted a program called Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) to increase student safety. Forty-five fathers and father-figures donated their time and watchful eyes for students in school. There was a Watch DOG every day for several months of the school year. Each volunteer wore a T-shirt that said, “I’m a Watch DOG and a dad of a great student.” Students also received a shirt that read, “My Dad’s a Watch DOG.” Fathers spent approximately one-third of their volunteer time in their children’s classrooms and the remaining two-thirds helping in other classes, the playground, or the cafeteria.
These examples represent a few of many ways that elementary, middle, and high schools are engaging family and community partners to improve student health and safety. For more examples, visit the NNPS website at www.partnershipschools.org. Click on Success Stories and follow the links to the creative and useful activities reported by members of NNPS in the annual collections of Promising Partnership Practices.
Darcy Hutchins
dhutchins@csos.jhu.edu