The goal of this workshop is to empower parents with tips and suggestions to effectively maximize their children’s educational experience. Topics covered will include:

• Communicating effectively with teachers
• NJ School Report Cards
• Learning at Home
• Benefits of Parent Involvement in Education

An interactive 3 or 5 hour workshop for school staff designed to increase awareness about the importance of parental involvement within the school and the impact that it has on student achievement. Staff will discuss barriers to involvement, how to overcome the barriers, and assessing the current needs of your school.

An interactive 3 hour workshop for school staff designed to discuss the impact communication has on relationship building and ways school staff can enhance positive relationships with parents. Participants will discuss barriers to communication and strategies to implement when communicating with others.

This is an interactive training where:

• A school team will learn “How to Use the NJPIRC Family Friendly Walkthrough” (~45mins )
• The team will assess their school using the Walkthrough assessment (~1.5 hrs)
• The team discuss findings and opportunities for improvement (~45mins)

School Requirements prior to the training:

• Must develop a team of at least 5 individuals, including 1 parent, and 1 administrator, to complete the walkthrough.
• Must gather all parent involvement policies prior to training.

Includes:

• The Family-Friendly Package, plus Training on how to use the NJPIRC “Title I Parent Involvement Self-Evaluation Tool” (~1hr).
• Review and Feedback on Self-Evaluation findings (~3hrs).
• Up to 2 Follow-up planning/action meetings with NJPIRC staff to address non-compliance issues (~3hrs).

School Requirements:

• Must develop a team of at least 4 individuals, including 1 parent, and 1 administrator, to complete the walkthrough.
• Team must meet before and after the walkthrough to complete a briefing with NJPIRC Staff.
• The walkthrough must be completed within 6-weeks of partnership with NJPIRC.
• Follow up meeting to discuss improvements/barriers must happen within 2 months of the walkthrough.Host a preparation meeting for all staff/parents involved in the self-evaluation.
• Complete the Self-Evaluation within 4 months of partnership with NJPIRC.
• Submit findings to NJPIRC within 2 weeks of completing the self-evaluation.
• Host 2 follow-up meetings within 3 months

Includes:

• The Family Friendly Package (~5hrs),
• The Compliance Package (~7hrs), and
• Membership to the National Network of Partnership Schools ($200).
• 1-Day Action Team Training on research based parent involvement strategies developed by Dr. Joyce Epstein at Johns Hopkins University (~5 hrs).
• 2-hour professional development for school staff on Joyce Epstein parent involvement program.
• Ongoing technical assistance via phone/email for 1 school-year.
• Minimum 2 site visits by NJPIRC staff (~6hrs).
• Parent workshop titled “Taking the Lead to Help your Child Succeed” (~1.5hrs).

School Requirements:

• The requirements of the Family Friendly Package, and
• The requirements of the Compliance Package, plus
• Develop an Action Team for Partnerships consisting of Parents, teachers, school staff, administration and community members. Minimum 6 members.
• Host a 1-Day Action Team training for your Action Team for Partnerships in August or September.
• Develop a 2-year Action Plan by September 30th.
• Host a 2-hour professional development workshop for school staff on NNPS by November.
• Hold monthly meetings with your action team.
• Complete the activities you develop in your action plan.
• Become a member of the National Network of Partnership Schools.
• Have a minimum of 2 site-visits with NJPIRC Staff.