In support of the High Quality Pre-Kindergarten program, Panhandle ISD will develop and implement a comprehensive family engagement plan to assist the district in achieving and maintaining high levels of family involvement and positive family attitudes toward education as outlined in TAC 103.1003(f).  The family engagement plan will be designed to support the six components.  The six components with examples of ways PISD will implement are:

(a) Facilitate family-to-family support:

Parent meetings without students - develop parent to parent communication and parent to teacher communication.  This will allow parents to network with each other and share resources and ideas.

(b) Establish a network of resources:

“Family Literacy Night” - Educate parents in elementary literacy as well as about opportunities that are available in the community and/or surrounding communities that would positively affect their parenting/family in general

(c) Increase family decision making;

Partner with parents to increase communication in the decisions regarding their child’s education.  

(d) Equip family with tools to enhance and extend learning;

• Create activities at home (flash cards, links to educational websites/boards, etc.)

• Provide parents individualized curriculum activities in order to push high achieving learners

• Send home brochures in English and Spanish for good reading practice

 (e) Develop staff skills in evidence-based practices that support families in meeting their children’s learning benchmarks;

• Guide parents to appropriate books to improve/begin reading

• Encourage more parent volunteers to help with reading, small groups, activities

(f) Evaluate family engagement efforts and use evaluations for continuous improvement.  

• End of year parent meetings – help parents plan activities to promote education throughout the summer

Panhandle ISD will include the family engagement plan including resources and/or activities on the district website.

Purchased materials from funding would include components that support initiatives aimed at increasing family engagement.  The Frog Street Curriculum, through online access and forums for parents, take home materials and much more, this excellent resource will encourage families to partner with the school to promote a culture of learning that is child centered, age appropriate and family driven.