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Tower Street School Engages Families
Tower Street Elementary School in Westerly, RI, featured in the November/December 2006 issue of Teaching K-8, has implemented a model program for parent-school involvement. What struck us most about the Family Engagement initiative is not only the number of opportunities for families to become involved in their children's educational community, but also the efforts taken to make these opportunities accessible. Events are scheduled at various times of day, the whole family is welcome to participate in most activities and free childcare and refreshments are offered at every event. (Childcare services are provided by teachers, staff or high school volunteers.) And when families can't come to school, the school goes to the families, in the form of home visits by the principal and an outreach video and newsletter.
To read about the Tower Street School Visit click here.
The following is this year's schedule of Family Engagement events, as well as further resources provided through this program. Please feel free to contact Family Engagement coordinator Mary Lou Almonte at malmonte@westerly.k12.ri.us for more information.
2006-2007 Family Engagement Committee Activities
Welcome Back Celebration – On the first day of school, families are invited to attend a whole-school assembly, parent reception and classroom visits. Tower Street implemented this event with assistance from the Rhode Island Parent Information Network.
Parent Information Nights – Grade-level-specific informational sessions focused on curriculum, homework and child development.
School Safety Workshop – How to talk with one's child about contemporary issues in our society. Parents will learn how they might minimize their children's media exposure and how to help their kids to become socially aware in a developmentally appropriate way. This workshop is facilitated by the school psychologist.
Parent Volunteer Workshop – Family members learn how they might help at their child's school either by volunteering regularly in school, helping from home, volunteering for activities or reading with the children.
Open House – The whole family is invited to explore the student's classroom and school. Information tables are set up that feature school and community events and resources.
Active Parenting Workshop – A video series and discussion group open to caregivers of students ages 5-12. Two sessions are offered (afternoon and evening) to promote greater opportunities for parents to attend.
Girls Night Out/Boys Night Out – Fourth- and fifth-grade students, accompanied by a same-sex family member, spend the evening learning about puberty. Pizza and beverages provided.
Principal Home Visits – The school principal and parent liaison visit the homes of students to deliver literacy and math baskets.
Bring a Family Member to School Day – New this year and organized by parent volunteers. Children will be encouraged to invite a special family member to join them for part of a day to see what it's really like to be an elementary student today.
Family Game Night – A rotating station of board games, computer literacy activities and more. All participants may enter a free raffle to win games to take home.
Math and Science Night – Families learn about the school's math and science programs. There are also Parent Math Workshops where parents can brush up on math skills and get tips for helping their children with math homework.
Health and Safety Fair – Vendors and booths with information to promote safe and healthy lifestyles. Themed baskets are raffled to raise money for a health-related charity.
Community Blood Drive – Sponsored by the fifth grade class, students will learn about the importance of blood donations and host attendees to this year's drive.
Holiday Storytelling and Sing-along – One of Tower Street's most popular nights. The whole family will enjoy singing with music teacher (and Family Engagement project musical director) Joseph Vasile and listening to traditional and contemporary tales from favorite local storyteller Aaron Perkins. Hot cocoa and cookies served.
Family Arts and Crafts Night – Organized by the Tower Street art teachers. Art activities include Native American jewelry, masks, silhouettes and more.
Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) – Students, families, community members – and the high school marching band! – participate in the worldwide Project ACES event of walking together to learn about the importance of lifelong fitness.
Fun Day – Traditional field day activities, with a lunchtime BBQ to which family members are invited.
Summer Field Trip Program – Day trips with either a literacy or mathematics emphasis to local destinations. Past locations include a wildlife refuge, a minor league baseball game, a lighthouse museum, a fishing cooperative, a carousel and the Rhode Island State House. To encourage parents to chaperone, incentives are offered that include gift certificates, gas cards and coupons.
Additional Resources:
Family Lending Library – This collection of topical resource books is available at school and at every Family Engagement function.
Revolving Resources – Free family resource brochures available in the school office, such as 100 Tips for Parents (provided by the Rhode Island Parent Information Network) and Yardsticks age-specific child development pamphlets.
Tower Street Tidbits – A PTO newsletter featuring the coming month's Family Engagement activities, letters from the principal and the parent liaison, with a refrigerator-ready pull-out calendar page.
A Day in the Life of a Tower Street Student – This video was created so caregivers who might not have the opportunity to visit the school can get a glimpse into their child's school life.
There is an unmistakable sense of unity and connectedness at Tower Street Elementary School. It is clear that the staff is committed to fostering a welcoming environment for students, their families and for each other. But what do parents think about the school's Family Engagement program? Family Engagement coordinator Mary Lou Almonte posed the question to several parents. Here is what some Tower Street families have to say:
"Being a kindergarten parent, I had no idea what to expect. Tower Street really welcomes my involvement."
"I think Tower Street's Family Engagement program is great – I feel like I'm part of the family – my kids feel like they are part of a family!"
"Each year, there are more and more activities to involve me. We love it here!"
"This year's Active Parenting Workshops have given me great ideas on how to discipline my kids. I'm learning so much."
"Tower Street School is the best school in Westerly. The teachers here care about my kids. They go above and beyond!"
"My kids want to come to school. They see the teachers as real people, because they get to see them having fun (outside the regular school day), not just in the classroom."
"Tower Street is a welcoming environment, from the moment you walk in."
To read about the Tower Street School Visit click here.
November/December, 2006, Vol.37, No.3
