To: Dr.

Parks
Principal of United Middle School
Middlesex School District

From: Molly Desmond, Kim Dizazzo, Karen Dussourd and Ashley Prindle
United Middle School

Date: June 20th, 2015

RE: Proposal for Together We Achieve More Event

Good Morning,

We would like to host an event to encourage a stronger family school relationship. As we

discussed at our professional development meeting, research shows that when parents and schools work
together there are numerous benefits that can occur. Some of these benefits include better academic
achievement by the student, higher rates of homework completion, improved social skills, and
improved attendance, and higher graduation rates (Heward, 2013, p. 86, 96 and Caplan, 1998). With
this in mind we would like to move forward and encourage and embrace this relationship with parents
and all school personnel. We believe that this initiative will lead to a greater mutual respect and
understanding between staff and family, which will increase student achievement, which is the ultimate
goal.

An additional reason to move with this proposal is the added benefit of having parents feel a
sense of community, ownership, and voice within our school. Remember at our resent professional
development meeting that we talked about how some of our families dont get involved because they
believe it isnt their place to do so? (Heward, 2013, p. 100-102, 111). We have taken this into
consideration and think that through providing those families with more information about the added
benefits of their involvement and in establishing strong school/family relationships that they will come
to understand the crucial role that they play in their childs academic success. At our event we are
planning to also provide all families that come with an informational pamphlet which will also provide
them with more information that can help them with their child as well as how they can also collaborate
with other families in discussion groups (For Parents & Caregivers & Youth, 2015).

Moreover, parents want to help their kids and we want to help them as well, and it is through
creating a positive working relationship with parents that we will be able to work together and learn
how to best serve their children (Bliss, 2007). Furthermore, we want to become better as a school with
engaging with parents. This will not only help the achievement of students go up, but by building a
family-school partnership and building trust between our school and the families we serve, we can
better understand each others culture and values. Through our event we want to provide families with
information that will help them to understand how they can help their child as well as our commitment
to the parents (Anderson, 2007). We want to be a support system for parents and be as united as
possible.

We often hear from parents that we dont understand or cant possibly relate to them and their
family. It has been said that, Unless a professional has a child of their own who has a disability, they
can never really relate to what we see (Linkhom, 2001). This is not how we want our families to feel.
We want to ensure them that we are working with their families and not against them. At our event we
want to express to families that we are here for them and can relate, empathize with them, and that we
are committed to the success of their child. We want all of our families to see our commitment to them
and that this is not a one-way relationship.

With the above information in mind, we are looking to host an event on Saturday, June 27th from
7:30am to 9am in front of our school entrance. For this event we would like to invite all families and
their children to come and take part in our, Together We Achieve More Event, which will allow all
members of our school personnel to come together with the parents and collaborate to improve the
relationship between home and school, which we hope in turn will improve student achievement. The
goal of our event is to raise awareness of why it is important for parents to collaborate with their childs
school and become active participants in their childs education. We want to emphasize to parents that
we want their input, support, and would like to become partners with parents in helping their child on
their road to achievement as well as express our commitment to them as a school.

During this event a light breakfast will be provided for all of those who attend. At the event we
will also provide a free babysitting service for those parents who need to bring their other children with
them. According to the article that we read, No Parent Left Behind, many parents are hard to reach
due to work schedules, inability to find childcare, and some parents even have insecurities about
interacting with school staff (Bliss, 2007). In light of this research, we feel as though it is important to
have this event on a Saturday to reach the most parents as well as provide childcare service free of
charge to alleviate the challenges of finding childcare. We also understand that many parents will still
have some insecurity about coming to our school, but it is our intent that this event will serve as
gateway to further interaction. To further show our commitment to reaching all families we have
created a flyer to the event in multiple languages.

At the event we have planned the following activities. The event will begin after everyone has
settled in and enjoyed some breakfast. We were wondering if you would be able to welcome the parents
and kick off the event? After, one faculty member will introduce the rock garden project that all the
families and staff from the school can participate in. The staff member will explain that the circle that
we will create from the rocks means inclusivity and the welcoming relationship that is to be had
between the school and the families. Each person will be able to write their name on the rock as well as
a goal that they have to promote inclusion this year, a success that they have had with collaboration or
inclusion in the past, or a personal goal that they have to help their child. These rocks will be displayed
around one tree that is located in the front of the school entrance and will be a lasting symbolization of
the impact of the home/school partnership.

During the event we would encourage both families and staff to get together, mingle, and meet
one another while they are either creating their rock or having a light breakfast. Towards the end of the
event pamphlets will be provided to both parents and staff highlighting the positive impact this
relationship can have on the student as well as some take away messages. At the end of the event we
would like to conclude by thanking all the families for coming and to encourage them to take a look at
our exit table, which will include ideas for future events and volunteer opportunities. Parents will be
encouraged to give their name and contact information under any events that they are interested in. This
will provide a way for us to reflect on the success of the event. We also plan to share anecdotal
observations that the staff observed at a future staff meeting.
 Thank you for your consideration of this proposal. Please feel free to get in touch with the
planning committee (Ashley, Molly, Kim, and Karen) with any questions, concerns, or your own ideas.
We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Thank you,

Ashley, Molly, Kim, and Karen

 Resources

Anderson, J. (2007, April 30). Beyond the Bake Sale. Retrieved June 18, 2015, from
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/07/04/beyondbakesale0

Bliss, M. (2007, March 10). No parent left behind. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from
http://www.semissourian.com/story/1193133.html

Caplan, J. (1998). Constructing School Partnerships with Families and Community Groups.
Retrieved June 20, 2015, from
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/envrnmnt/famncomm/pa400.htm

Heward, W. (2013). Collaborating with Parents and Families in a Culturally and Linguistically
Diverse Society. In Exceptional Children (10th ed., p. 86, 98,100 102, 111). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.

Linkhom, P. (2001). Rose Colored Glasses. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from
http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/advocacy/advocacyrosyglasses.html

For Parents & Caregivers & Youth. Retrieved June 20, 2015, from www.NAMI.org.
 COLUMN 2: Behind Column 1
Why Get Involved?
We can make a difference in your
childs education!
Research shows that
when parents and
schools work
together the
following benefits
occur:
*Higher Education for your student
*Better Grades and academic
achievement
*Improved Attendance
*Greater homework completion
*Positive attitude
*Real world connections to learning
*Improved social skills
*Shared decision making increases
Lets work together and provide the
best village for your child/ren.
Heward, W. (2013). Collaborating
with Parents and Families in a
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
Society. In Exceptional Children
(10th ed., p. 86, 98, 111). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
COLUMN 6: Back of Brochure COLUMN 1: Front of Brochure
Together We Achieve More
Ways Our School Can Support
You
Provide, through funding that is
made available from the district
office budget, materials, space,
and equipment appropriate for
your child.
Provide an inclusive, positive
environment.
Provide teachers with
professional development about
exceptional students.
Be culturally aware and open to
your familys needs.
Provide two-way communication
between school and home.
Families and Schools United
Provide parent workshops on
topics you request.
United Middle School
123 Foxwood Road
Provide guidance finding 603-134-7978
resources you may need.
We are here to work with you!
 COLUMN 3: Inside Left Column
Where to Get More Information
The following link is a community of
families like yours, who you can
connect with and find answers.
http://fcsn.org
COLUMN 4: Inside Middle COLUMN 5: Inside Right Colum
Column
Our Commitment to You
Ways For Parents to Get
Involved

National Alliance for Mental Illness.

This website helps families find 1. Attend monthly breakfast
information about their child, has groups. (babysitting provided)
discussion groups and is also
interpreted in Spanish. 2. Sign up to help out in your
www.NAMI.org childs class.
1. We will have open communicatio
3. Attend monthly game nights 2. We will work together in a
The American Academy of Pediatrics is with your child to learn fun partnership.
a webpage with a wealth of information ways to practice reading, 3. We will create meaningful engag
for all families and children. writing and math. learning.
AAp.org 4. We will provide weekly
4. Join the PTA communication through email, scho
Information about childs disability, web pages and/or phone calls.
support groups, classes to attend 5. Communicate regularly with 5. We will provide monthly touch
http://www.childrensdisabilities.info/ad notes, email or phone calls. points through conferences if reques
vocacy/programs.html Dont wait if you have a 6. We believe in mutual trust and
question or concern. respect.
 UNITING
THROUGH NATURE
Join us in the
creation of our
garden!
Children, adults, and school staff
will work together to paint and
decorate rocks for our school
garden. The rocks will be displayed
in a circle to promote unity in
regards to the childrens education.
Also:
- Take the time to meet and
talk to the staff!
- Learn about other ways to
get involved in school
activities and in your childs
education!
- Learn about ways to
communicate your childs
needs with the school staff!
- Find out where to get more
information!
And most importantly: HAVE
FUN!

June 27th, 2015

7:30am-9:00am
United Middle School
123 Foxwood Road
603-134-7978


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27 2015

7:30 am 9:00 am
Union Middle School
123 Foxwood Road
603-134-7978

UNIENDO A TRAVS DE
LA NATURALEZA
 nete a nosotros en
la creacin de
nuestro jardn!
Nios, adultos y personal de
la escuela trabajarn juntos
para pintar y decorar las
rocas para nuestro jardn
escolar. Las rocas se
mostrarn en un crculo para
promover la unidad en lo que
respecta a la educacin de los
nios.

tambin:
- Tmese el tiempo para
conocer y hablar con el
personal!
- Aprenda acerca de otras
maneras de involucrarse en
actividades de la escuela y
en la educacin de su hijo!
- Aprenda sobre maneras de
comunicar las necesidades
de su hijo con el personal de
la escuela!
- Averige dnde obtener ms
informacin !

Y lo ms importante:
divirtase!

, 27 de junio 2015
7:30 am 9:00 am
Union Middle School
123 Foxwood Road
603-134-7978