November12, 2025
December 10, 2025
January 28, 2026
February 25, 2026
March 11, 2026
March 25, 2026
April 8, 20206
April 29, 2026
May 13, 2026
Our first working group, consisting of parents and community members is focusing on Priority 1: Family Partnerships participation through volunteer opportunities, events, inclusivity, celebrations, and improved communication.
During their 1st meeting they worked together to discover the root cause of Priority 1
We discovered that the deeper issue isn't just lack of information - it's that some parents don't feel confident or see their invovlement as essential. This belief is influenced by language barrier, work schedules, and uncertainty about how their participation impacts their child's education.
During their 2nd meeting our Working Group learned about PDSA Cycles (Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycles).
Next, they used the root cause analysis from their first meeting and data from our NAA survey to write a problem statement.
Opportunities for parental involvement were identified as an area for improvement. Data shows that 75% of students and parents support increase paretal involvement and more opportunities for it. When parents are not invovled there is no relationship between parents and teachers, and children beoome demotivated, affecting them emotionally and academically. To address this problem , we need to eliminate barriers such as language and scheduling conflicts, and we need to make parents aware of the importance of their presence in their children's education.
For the Plan phase of the PDSA Cycle, our working group developed a Sunshine Calls & Virtual Hours positive outreach plan aimed at strengthening parent–teacher relationships. Virtual Hours are open online times for parents to informally join and speak with their child’s teacher. A fund request was submitted to compensate the four teachers who volunteered to have their classes participate in the study. The team is currently developing a pre- and post-survey to gather feedback and measure the impact of the outreach effort within those four classrooms.
Our Community Schools Working Group identified the need for additional data to better understand family–school connections. A pre-survey was conducted with parents to gather input on communication and engagement with teachers. The team also invited teacher volunteers to participate in a study focused on strengthening parent–teacher relationships, and four teachers volunteered to take part. As part of the effort, participating teachers will make one “Sunshine Call” to each student on their roster to share positive updates. They will also host open virtual office hours, providing families with informal opportunities to join a call and speak directly with their child’s teacher.
33% of parents surveyed did not feel connected with their child's teacher, 16.7% felt very connected and 50% felt connected.
One of the 4 teachers who volunteered to take part in the study completed contacting the families of all 20 students. She spoke with a parent or family member face to face or messaged them through Class Dojo. Another teacher attempted to hold Virtual Office Hours, but no parents attended. One parent wanted to attend, but misread the time.
Parents were glad to hear about student since she started late in the year and we did not conference with them.
She was thankful for positives and addressed her growth in the social emotional areas.
Parents is happy to hear that his behavior has improved and that he is participating in lessons
Parent was wondering how he was doing and happy to receive good news and pictures
“I liked getting a good call. Good calls are equally important as bad calls”
“Feels good when a teacher reaches out and you don't feel left in the dark.” And she really liked to hear from the new teacher and that "me cai muy bien". And added that the school is amazing and she loves the staff and teachers
Mom wanted to show her appreciation to the teachers for taking time out of their day to post all of the pictures they do.
Mom did not recall the phone call, perhaps it was made to father. But she said “I would definitely like a sunshine call and I feel they would make me feel more connected to the teacher.”
13 of 20 parents answered
How did the Sunshine Call/Communication make you feel?
62.5% Very Happy
25% Happy
12.5% Neutral
Did the call make you fell more connected?
100%
Would you like more positive calls/communications in the future?
100%