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Family Engagement Guide

Family Engagement Belief Statement

Theory of Action:

In our Theory of Action, we have a few different steps that cannot be done well without strong partnerships with families…

  • We will take collective ownership to implement practices to support students with disabilities.
  • We will use knowledge of students and knowledge of standards to design rigorous and responsive instruction for all students.
  • We will challenge and dismantle oppressive systemic, personal, and instructional policies and practices, working to rebuild equitable policies and practices in their place.
  • We will actively notice and disrupt deficit mindsets and biases in self and others that perpetuate disparate outcomes when planning for and supporting our students.
  • We will impactfully collaborate to improve practice and outcomes through analyzing multiple sources of disaggregated data and taking ownership of the data.
  • We will view behaviors that go against the shared values, norms, and agreements as learning opportunities.
  • We will facilitate healing the harm to relationships and restoring community.
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Volunteer Opportunities

Many opportunities for parents/caregivers to volunteer exist throughout the school year. Here are just a few:

  • Educators will reach out to families, offering times when they could use an extra set of hands in their classroom (e.g., Math Work Places, Makerspace, Specials areas (i.e., Art), reading practice, etc.).
  • Families are welcome and encouraged to help out in the cafeteria during lunch, as well as out on the playground during recesses.
  • Ecosystem Library organization
  • Chaperoning field trips
  • Volunteering at SCOTS-sponsored school events (i.e., Terrapin Trot, Fall Fest, Spring Fling, etc.) through SCOTS’ Linktree.

Interested parents/caregivers/volunteers will need to fill out a District Volunteer Application prior to working with students.
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Family Engagement Events
  • 8/4 Kindergarten Visitation
  • 8/27 Ready, Set, Go! (4-6pm)
  • 9/11 SCOTS Back-to-School Picnic (5-7pm)
  • 9/26 Terrapin Trot
  • 10/20-10/24 Caregiver Conferences
  • 11/14 SCOTS Fall Fest (5:30-7:30pm)
  • 12/12 SCOTS Movie Night (6pm)
  • 12/16 4/5 Grade Music, Choir, & Orchestra Concert (9-9:30am)
  • 1/16 SCOTS Movie Night (6pm)
  • 2/20 SCOTS Movie Night (6pm)
  • 2/23-2/27 Caregiver Conferences
  • 3/3 All City Choir Concert (7pm)
  • 4/24 SCOTS Spring Fling (5:30-7:30pm)
  • 5/6 TS Day of Music (Times TBD)
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How parents & caregivers can help us meet our school goals

#1 - ATTENDANCE
We can’t teach kids that aren’t present! Research tells us that when students miss more than 10 school days, it can greatly impact their overall learning for the year.  Illnesses come up, but we would LOVE to see all of our Nighthawks at school from 7:40am to 2:40pm every day possible! 

#2 - COMMUNICATION
One of our goals is to truly know your children deeply so that we can help them feel successful at school. We really do rely on families to give us initial information about who their children are starting at Ready/Set/Go through family inventories and conversation! 

Then throughout the year we will ask you to give us feedback on how things are going through conferences, emails and conversations. We appreciate in advance you taking the time to engage in these conversations/activities with us! 

#3 - ACADEMIC PRACTICE 
If you want to do some at-home academic practice, we recommend…  

  • At-Home Reading
  • Math Home Connections 

We encourage families to reach out at any time to ask questions or give us feedback about how we are meeting their child’s needs and ensuring they are advancing their SEL and academic skills.
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How do families know how their student is doing?
  1. Read the weekly newsletters your teacher will email you every Friday 
  2. Check your child’s backpack to see completed work 
  3. Attend school/family conferences in October and February 
  4. Reach out to your child’s teacher(s) whenever questions come up about your child’s progress
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How can families get involved with our SCO?

SCO of Token Springs (SCOTS)
SCOTS Linktree

Meeting Dates
All meetings are in the Token Springs’ LGI as well as on Zoom, and are from 6:30-7:30pm.

  • 9/9
  • 10/14
  • 11/11
  • 1/13
  • 2/10
  • 3/10
  • 4/14
  • 5/12

*Free babysitting and pizza!

You can also follow SCOTS on Facebook for lots of updates about events happening!
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 How will teachers communicate with families?

Weekly newsletters will be emailed to families every Friday to share: learning targets, important events, tips for home, etc.

Periodic emails/texts/phone calls to share updates on your individual student.

We will have two rounds of conferences…

  • October 20-24
  • February 23-27

Report Cards 

  • End of semester 1 (January) 
  • End of semester 2 (June) 

You can access the report card when it is posted on your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
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 How will the principal communicate with families?

Whole School Communication

  • Welcome emails in July & August, giving families back-to-school information.
  • Monthly Newsletters
  • Reminders of important events are sent periodically via text/email 

Meetings (in-person or virtual) 

  • Mr. Marincic and Mrs. Miesbauer are happy to sit down with caregivers to problem-solve a concern or troubleshoot a new idea. Those appointments can be best made by appointment directly with either:
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 How can families contact the school?

We typically say that classroom teachers can be a family’s first go-to for any and all needs that may come up.

There are definitely times though, when contacting someone else first would be expected, so feel free to reach out to the Token Springs Main Office to get you connected to the right person (608-478-5100).