Our Home & School Compacts & Family Engagement Policy: Click on your child's grade level to view the 24/25 Machen Title I Compact

• Kindergarten 

• First Grade 

• Second Grade

• Third Grade

• Fourth Grade

• Fifth Grade

Our School's Family Engagement Policy 24/25       

Family Engagement Program Newsletter 23/24                                 

• Link to District-level Family Engagement Policy

• Machen's VDOE School Quality Report

Dr. Steven Constantino's 

5  Simple Principles to Engage Every Family

Standard 1: A Culture That Engages Every Family

The collective beliefs, attitudes, norms, values, actions and assumptions of the school organization explicitly embrace and are committed to ensuring the notion of families as a foundational core component to improvement and greater student learning and performance

How is Machen Elementary School currently implementing Standard 1?

• Scheduling events to include day and evening times that work for parents.

• Flexibility for volunteers

• Consider every family's needs (food, clothing, academic resources, supplies.)

• Community involvement

• Every family will have a safe and comfortable environment when they are at Machen Elementary School.

Standard 2: Communicate Effectively and Develop Relationships

There is consistent evidence of creating environments in the school that are welcoming, respectful and conducive to family engagement. The school places an emphasis on effective communication with every family and stakeholder within the learning community and seeks to build trusting relationships with all families.

How is Machen Elementary School currently implementing Standard 2?

• Visibility and Availability

• Open/Nonjudgemental 

• Trust

• Respect of knowledge of both parties

• Active listening/Communication

• Using multiple forms of communication (flyers, ConnectEd calls, newsletters, website, email, Remind, Class Dojo, etc.)

Standard 3: Empower Every Family

Families are recognized as essential members of the learning team for each student – they feel welcome and valued by the school. The school understands that families are important resources because they know their children and the greater community well.

How is Machen Elementary School currently implementing Standard 3?

• Blessings in a Backpack Kids food Program

• Parent volunteers

• Lunch buddy volunteers

• Internet/Computer Usage for Parents

• Academic-focused events (Math and Reading)

• HERE! Program (notes/phone calls/attendance workshops)

• Mayor's Book Club

• Machen Book Buddies Volunteers

Standard 4:  Engage Every Family in Decision Making

The school recognizes the entitlement of parents to be consulted and participate in decisions concerning their own children. The school is genuinely inclusive in its approach to decision-making. It recognizes that this type of process creates a sense of shared responsibility among parents, students, community members, educators and administrators.

How is Machen Elementary School currently implementing Standard 4?

• Action Team - Decision Making

• PTA 

• Fall and Spring Surveys - feedback from families

• Including parents on school committees

Standard 5: Engage the Greater Community

The school places a strong focus on building and creating partnerships external to the school. The school recognizes the strengths and talents that exist in the communities that influence student learning and development and seeks to use these to strengthen and support the school, students and their families. It also recognizes that the school can be a focal point for communities to come together and engage in capacity building and renewal. The school views itself as an important community asset and has community representatives on the school’s governing body. There is a clear recognition from the school that the greater community plays an integral role in the educational success of the school.

How is Machen Elementary School currently implementing Standard 5?

• Faith-based partnerships

• Community Partnerships

• Area businesses

• Hampton Public Library