Bloomington Public Schools launches family engagement plan

March 27, 2013

Bloomington Public Schools is introducing a new Family Engagement Plan designed to educate and nurture families to become more involved in their children’s education.
 
The initiative aims to break down barriers to provide schools and families the tools to become better partners in helping all students succeed.
 
The plan’s goals include:

• Providing parents with a better understanding of the public education system
• Building relationships with parents, schools and staff to increase the level of family involvement in students’ education and parents’ participation in school decisions
• Offering creative ways for parents to support children at home
• Preparing students to graduate from high school ready for college and career
• Preparing teachers for increased participation from diverse communities
• Creating a welcoming environment at schools

A signature piece of the plan is Family STARS University, an eight-week course set to roll out this fall for parents and students. It will provide a broad overview of the public education system and specific strategies to help student learning at home.
 
The family engagement plan is aligned with the district’s strategic outcomes – Pathways to Graduation – to prepare each child to be college and career ready, said Superintendent Les Fujitake.
 
Family engagement practices have been employed in the district for many years with programs like the Pond Center’s Family School, Kinderprep, Family Academy at Washburn and Valley View elementary schools and the work of the Office of Educational Equity.
 
Fujitake said the Family Engagement Plan builds on these programs to “better prepare students to learn, and families’ and schools’ support of that learning.”