Families: Communication

Resources are organized according to the order in which they are received.

Use the magnifying glass in the top right corner to search for specific tools using key words. 

Provide Translators or Translated Documents – This strategy describes contacting local families and community members to assist in translation needs, use Google Translator or use translation services when funds are available. 

5 Benefits of Human-Designed thinking for Family Engagement - Human-centered design puts families at the center of individual and organizational practice. It is a process that is intentional about engaging families and including their voices. https://globalfrp.org/content/download/509/4350/file/GFRP_HCD4FE.pdf 

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators - Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system. A guide for parents on understanding child traumatic stress is included in the last pages of this resource. https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//child_trauma_toolkit_educators.pdf  Spanish Version: https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//child_trauma_toolkit_educators_sp.pdf View full list of National Child Traumatic Stress Network resources here: https://www.nctsn.org/resources 

Research Matters: The Power of Parental Expectations - This article discusses research highlighting parents' expectations as the most important factor in student success, and the author suggests schools model respectful communication with families and support them in helping their children internalize high aspirations. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept17/vol75/num01/The-Power-of-Parental-Expectations.aspx 

Parents 2017: Unleashing Their Power & Potential - This report describes the findings of a national survey of more than 1,400 K–8 public school parents and provides insights and suggestions to help schools better communicate with families and to provide parents with tools to support their children's development. https://r50gh2ss1ic2mww8s3uvjvq1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LH_ParentsReport2017_20170719_MasterScreen_SinglePages_AN.pdf 

Dos and Don'ts of Parent-Teacher Communication: Keeping in Touch With Your Child's Teacher - "Parent-teacher communication plays a big role in helping your child to have a successful academic career.…Knowing some of the Dos and Don'ts of parent-teacher communication can help you make that connection. https://www.verywellfamily.com/dos-and-donts-of-parent-teacher-communication-620919 

What Can Be Done To Improve Parent-Teacher Communication? – “Light-touch" communication (quick texts, calls, or emails) establishing positive and proactive communication between school and home can make a big difference in students' outcomes. https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/42715/what-can-be-done-to-improve-parent-teacher-communication 

My Child/My Student Public Awareness Campaign - Provides monthly college and career readiness, as well as student safety, information and resources. Encourages positive and meaningful communication between parents and teachers. http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/communications/my-childmy-student 

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Strategies for Principals, Teachers, and Parents - Global Family Research Project views parent-teacher conferences in terms of the 5Rs: reach out, raise up, reinforce, relate, and reimagine. Applying these approaches can lead to innovative ways to partner with families to ensure that they receive the information they need to help their children, and that teachers understand their students’ strengths and needs. https://globalfrp.org/content/download/402/3731/file/GFRPTipSheet_ParentTeacherConference.pdf 

A Day in the Life of an EL Student – Click on the link to watch a short video on a day in the life of a ten-year-old student who struggles to communicate in his new school with limited access to his native language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Y0HAjLKYI 

How Gaming Connects to SEL and Career Readiness - This article states, “Children are attracted to games, and educators (and parents) can be alert to using games as tools to build kids’ SEL skills, show how these skills matter in all kinds of jobs, and perhaps most importantly, help children better understand how to prepare themselves for success in life.” https://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-gaming-connects-sel-and-career-readiness-maurice-elias 

Report Card (video) A video explanation of how to view the district and school report card through My School Info as well as a written description of the A-F grading scale. http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/public-school-accountability/school-performance/report-card 

Reward Schools- Resource detailing public schools that receive financial awards due to achieving high student performance, achieving high student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates where applicable.http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/public-school-accountability/school-performance/reward-schools 

Flyers, Pamphlets, Emails - This strategy describes creating visuals that can be emailed, placed on websites and social media sites, and printed. Using multiple outlets increases the opportunity to getting the information to more people. Utilize local community members to translate into different languages based on your community needs. 

Radio, News Media - This strategy describes utilizing local radio, newspaper, and TV news media to promote events and create awareness around community topics. Many free local opportunities are available. 

Dabbling in the Data: A Hands-on Guide to Participatory Data Analysis - This resource includes guidelines for 15 fun activities to help groups analyze and make meaning of data. http://www.publicprofit.net/Dabbling-In-The-Data 

Getting Smart Podcast:  Unlocking what's new and innovative in education-  https://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/10/social-emotional-learning-in-the-home/ 

From Puzzle to Plan: 3 easy steps to help your child succeed - Parents and families, YOU are the expert on your child. When you know where your child is doing well and where more support is needed, you can best support learning at home. Here are 3 easy steps to set your child up for success in school! Includes an option to print or email your plan to others. https://bealearninghero.org/puzzle-to-plan/ 

ADE Template and Guide for Parent and Family Engagement Planning - As the Arkansas Department of Education seeks to support stakeholders in developing effective Parent and Family Engagement Plans, sample templates and accompanying guides were developed to offer guidance for ensuring all State and Federal regulations were met. http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/public-school-accountability/federal-programs/parent-and-family-engagement 

Personally Invite Diverse Representatives to Meetings – This strategy describes creating opportunities for diverse members of the school or community by personally inviting them to meetings to ask questions and voice concerns about school programs, practices, etc. 

8 Sentence Starters to Use When Talking to Teachers - "Sometimes it’s not what you say but how you say it. If you want to effectively communicate with your child’s teacher, try these sentence starters."https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/partnering-with-childs-school/working-with-childs-teacher/conversation-starters-to-use-with-your-childs-teachers#slide-1 

U.S. Department of Education Newcomer Toolkit - This tool kit can help U.S. educators and others who work directly with immigrant students and their families. It is designed to help elementary and secondary teachers, principals, and other school staff. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/newcomers-toolkit/ncomertoolkit.pdf 

5 Benefits of Human-Designed thinking for Family Engagement - Human-centered design puts families at the center of individual and organizational practice. It is a process that is intentional about engaging families and including their voices. https://globalfrp.org/content/download/509/4350/file/GFRP_HCD4FE.pdf 

Arkansas Home Visiting Network - offers a variety of family-focused, culturally relevant services that are primarily home-based.   Services are provided for expectant parents and parents with children up to age five years of age by trained and qualified staff.     http://www.arhomevisiting.org/ 

Developing Agency With Student-Led Conferences (Video) - When students lead meetings with their parents and teachers, they gain a voice in their education and develop skills like goal-setting and metacognition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju0GlA7wE3w 

Dabbling in the Data: A Hands-on Guide to Participatory Data Analysis - This resource includes guidelines for 15 fun activities to help groups analyze and make meaning of data. http://www.publicprofit.net/Dabbling-In-The-Data 

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Strategies for Principals, Teachers, and Parents - Global Family Research Project views parent-teacher conferences in terms of the 5Rs: reach out, raise up, reinforce, relate, and reimagine. Applying these approaches can lead to innovative ways to partner with families to ensure that they receive the information they need to help their children, and that teachers understand their students’ strengths and needs. https://globalfrp.org/content/download/402/3731/file/GFRPTipSheet_ParentTeacherConference.pdf 

Asociación para Acción Comunitaria- La Asociación para Acción Comunitaria ha trabajado para construir comunidades resistentes y saludables en el Valle del Sur de Albuquerque y en todo Nuevo México desde 1990.  La PCA se centra en cuestiones fundamentales para la comunidad tal como educación, economía sostenible, y derechos para los inmigrantes. Por medio de la concientización y al aprovecharnos de unas oportunidades de interceder, apoyamos a la gente y a sus familias para que se conviertan en líderes fuertes en sus vecindades y en el estado de Nuevo México. http://forcommunityaction.org/acerca-de-nosotros/mision-e-historia/?lang=es 

Partnership for Community Action - Community based organization in Albuquerque’s South Valley focuses on critical community issues like education, economic sustainability, wellness and immigrant rights. Through raising awareness and advocacy opportunities, the Partnership for Community Action supports people and families to become strong leaders in their neighborhoods. http://forcommunityaction.org/   

From Puzzle to Plan: 3 easy steps to help your child succeed - Parents and families, YOU are the expert on your child. When you know where your child is doing well and where more support is needed, you can best support learning at home. Here are 3 easy steps to set your child up for success in school! Includes an option to print or email your plan to others. https://bealearninghero.org/puzzle-to-plan/ 

The Carnegie Foundation's Classification for Community Engagement - College and University Engagement Initiative (CUEI). CUEI contributes to the fields of community engagement and social innovation through collaboration with students, faculty, community partners, institutions of higher education and networks for community engagement and social innovation.  https://www.brown.edu/academics/college/swearer/programs/college-and-university-engagement-initiative-cuei  

Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC)  - Online resources for getting young children and their families ready for school and ready for life.  Click “Topics” on top right for the complete list. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/ 

A Guide for Families: Helping Your Child Succeed in School (pdf)- This guide includes easy-to-follow parenting practices that help children learn at each age and stage, as well as ways to develop a great relationship with your children’s schools. http://www.schoolcommunitynetwork.org/docs/FamilyGuide.pdf 

A Guide for Families: Helping Your Child Succeed in School (pdf)- This guide includes easy-to-follow parenting practices that help children learn at each age and stage, as well as ways to develop a great relationship with your children’s schools. http://www.schoolcommunitynetwork.org/docs/FamilyGuide.pdf 

Seven Research-Based Ways Families Promote Early Literacy - The infographics and videos highlight seven ways that families help to promote early literacy. (Spanish version available) https://globalfrp.org/content/download/164/1131/file/SevenResearchBasedWaysFamiliesPromoteLiteracyPDF%20(1).pdf 

Videos - https://globalfrp.org/Articles/Seven-Research-Based-Ways-Families-Promote-Early-Literacy 

Promoven el Aprendizaje de Lenguaje en Sus Hijo de Temprana Edad (Seven Research-Based Ways Families Promote Early Literacy) - Las experiencias positivas del aprendizaje linguistico de temprana edad establecen los niños en un camino para llegar a ser lectores seguros cuando llegan al tercer grado, lo cual es clave y importante en el camino hacia la graduación de la escuela secundaria. https://globalfrp.org/content/download/195/1346/file/SPANISH.SevenResearchBasedWaysFamiliesPromoteLiteracyPDF%20(5).pdf   Videos - https://globalfrp.org/Articles/Seven-Research-Based-Ways-Families-Promote-Early-Literacy 

Summer Learning Resources for Parents - This website has links to many great resources for moms, dads, and families to read and learn over the summer break from school, including some for prekindergarten as well as elementary kids. Available in both English and Spanish. http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/summer-learning-resources-parents 

Reading Rockets - a website that helps parents know how to engage their children in developmentally appropriate learning at home. http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents 

Arkansas Home Visiting Network - offers a variety of family-focused, culturally relevant services that are primarily home-based.   Services are provided for expectant parents and parents with children up to age five years of age by trained and qualified staff.     http://www.arhomevisiting.org/ 

Aprendizaje de Verano –(Summer Learning Resources for Parents) Como padre o madre, hay varias cosas que puede hacer para incentivar a su hijo a leer y fortalecer sus destrezas de lectura y escritura durante el verano. ¡Infórmense con nuestros nuevos recursos! http://www.colorincolorado.org/es/articulo/aprendizaje-de-verano  (Spanish) 

Parents 2017: Unleashing Their Power & Potential - This report describes the findings of a national survey of more than 1,400 K–8 public school parents and provides insights and suggestions to help schools better communicate with families and to provide parents with tools to support their children's development. https://r50gh2ss1ic2mww8s3uvjvq1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/LH_ParentsReport2017_20170719_MasterScreen_SinglePages_AN.pdf 

Testing at Your Child's School: What You Should Know and How You Can Help This brief guide gives parents/families tips for supporting their child and questions to ask school staff about testing. https://s3.amazonaws.com/rdcms-pta/files/production/public/NEA_PTA_Testing_06JUL17.pdf 

Pruebas en la Escuela de Su Hijo (Testing at Your Child's School) - Pruebas en la escuela de su hijo: lo que debe saber y cómo puede ayudar. (Spanish) https://s3.amazonaws.com/rdcms-pta/files/production/public/NEA_PTA_Testing_SP_08JUL17.pdf 

Reading Tip Sheets for Parents - These "one-page Reading Tip Sheets are available in 11 languages and offer easy ways for parents to help kids become successful readers. (Babies-3rd grade) http://www.colorincolorado.org/reading-tip-sheets-parents 

Ways to Support Your Child's Mathematical Development - This resource from YouTube provides suggestions from Jo Boaler regarding growth mindset for mathematics along with additional links for both parents and students.https://www.youcubed.org/resources/6-ways-support-childs-mathematical-development/ 

Khan Academy - Online tutorials in math for students who may need assistance with math concepts . https://www.khanacademy.org/ 

12 Steps to increase Your Child's Math Achievement and Make Math Fun - Jo Boaler provides suggestions based on growth mindset and math learning. https://bhi61nm2cr3mkdgk1dtaov18-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/12-Steps-to-unlock-your-students-math-achievement.pdf 

Parent Power Booklet - By adopting the principles in this booklet and taking the steps indicated for each age group, you will be able to help your child learn at each step of the way and ensure success in school and in life. https://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/parentpower/booklet.pdf 

Poder de los padres - Al adoptar los principios y tomar las medidas señaladas para cada grupo etario, podrá ayudar a su hijo a aprender en cada paso del trayecto y así asegurar su éxito en la escuela y en la vida. https://www2.ed.gov/espanol/parents/academic/help/poder-de-los-padres.pdf 

Helping Your Child Succeed in School - The purpose of this booklet is to make information available to you that you can use to help your child succeed in school. (2005) https://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/succeed/succeed.pdf 

Growing up Drug-Free: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention - This 40-page booklet offers information to help parents and other caregivers raise drug-free children and tips on what to do if you suspect your child is using alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/growing-up-drug-free-2017.pdf 

Parenting Children Ages 6-8 – Infographic highlighting school education and interventions and primary care settings education and interventions. http://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/dbassesite/documents/webpage/dbasse_179261.pdf 

Father Effect – Infographic on the impact of fathers being more involved as caretakers and being more nurturing as well as fatherhood challenges, solutions and next steps. http://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/dbassesite/documents/webpage/dbasse_179262.pdf

Small Children Have Big Feelings: There's an Emotion Behind Every Action (Video) - Understanding and managing your child’s behavior, and taking care of yourself during the challenging moments, too! http://talkingisteaching.org/resources/behind-every-child-behavior-there-is-a-feeling 

Abuelita: Grandma Sets Limits With Love (Video) – Alma is a grandma who's learned a lot raising her kids and grandkids. Setting limits with love is a way of letting your children know you care about them and teaching them self-control while allowing them to stay confident and independent. http://talkingisteaching.org/resources/setting-limits-with-love 

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators - Provides school administrators, teachers, staff, and concerned parents with basic information about working with traumatized children in the school system. A guide for parents on understanding child traumatic stress is included in the last pages of this resource. https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//child_trauma_toolkit_educators.pdf  Spanish Version: https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources//child_trauma_toolkit_educators_sp.pdf View full list of National Child Traumatic Stress Network resources here: https://www.nctsn.org/resources 

A Template for Conversations between Families and Teachers - Provides tips for families to discuss their child’s learning and developmental progress with teachers, as well as to plan for how to support their child in his or her developmental growth. http://buildinitiative.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Resources/FamilyEngagement/SharedDecision%20Conversations%20-%20Families-Final.pdf 

Learning Heroes Learning Tools - Learning Tools connects you to resources from trusted experts to help you support social, emotional, and academic development. Search resources by grade level and topic area. https://bealearninghero.org/learning-tools/ 

From Puzzle to Plan: 3 easy steps to help your child succeed - Parents and families, YOU are the expert on your child. When you know where your child is doing well and where more support is needed, you can best support learning at home. Here are 3 easy steps to set your child up for success in school! Includes an option to print or email your plan to others. https://bealearninghero.org/puzzle-to-plan/ 

Helping Kids Deal with the Stress of the Test - The graphic and steps identified help parents support their child in how to cope with test taking stress. https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/2018/01/25/helping-kids-deal-with-the-stress-of-the-test/ 

Confident Parents/Confident Kids - This site for parents actively supports kids' social and emotional development." Find practical strategies to use at home, support for school-home communication and partnership, links to research, and many helpful ideas for parenting children ages 4-21. The site is focused on skills promotion and prevention, not on problems. https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/