Family engagement is an essential, ongoing aspect of every student’s experience, and we want families and teachers to be in regular communication.

In-person family meetings (e.g., conferences) are still one way that teachers engage, and we have broadened our approach to family engagement. Staff have access to a range of methods that may work better for some families, including meetings on Zoom, communications on ParentSquare or connecting via phone calls.

Families can opt to request an in-person meeting with their child’s teacher. Similarly, teachers may request to meet with families in person or through other means noted above at any point during the school year.

In the past, elementary and middle school teachers relied on a face-to-face family/caregiver meeting during a period of a few specific days in late October and early November as a key strategy for engaging with families. Our model for family engagement might still include a conference in the fall, and we want to highlight the opportunity for families to meet with their child's teacher throughout the year, as needed, rather than one specific time.

Both teachers and families are encouraged to communicate with updates about students’ progress and ask questions. We encourage teachers and families to share positive news or events and not limit communication to when there is a concern or challenge. Our district can provide support for interpretation and translation for meetings and other communication when needed.