Schools are all about relationships. That’s why the first of the six National Standards for Family-School Partnerships Welcoming All Families into the School Community. Parents tell us that being greeted warmly and treated with respect is the number one reason for their school involvement.
Welcoming All Families: Our Vision
Families are active participants in the life of the school. They feel welcomed, valued and connected to each other as well as to the school staff and to what students are learning and doing in class.
What It Looks Like: When families enter your school building, they are greeted and informed by signs in the languages they speak. Materials throughout the school—on bulletin boards, in the media center and in classrooms—positively reflect the community’s diversity. Your PTA’s membership and leadership are fully representative of your community.
Volunteers are engaged through a personal approach that takes parents’ unique interests and skills into account and it is your PTA’s policy and practice to say “Yes!” any time a family member offers to help. Your PTA’s diversity committee plays a vibrant and visible role, helping to ensure that all families are treated fairly and that the school’s policies and programs reflect, respect and value the diversity of your school community.
Resources to Help You Make This Vision a Reality
The following National PTA programs are available to help make your school more welcoming, respectful and inclusive of all families:
- National PTA’s Take Your Family to School Week encourages PTAs and school leaders to open their doors to families during February to engage them in their children’s education. Resources include a detailed program guide, customizable tools and grant funds.
- PTA Three for Me is a program that invites all parents to invest three hours during the school year in support of their child. Family members volunteer when they have time: during the day, in the evening or on weekends. Program tools are provided in English and Spanish.
Coming Soon: Tips For Communicating Effectively
In about two weeks, watch for another email from us with resources and tips about Standard 2: Communicating Effectively.
The final School of Excellence applications will be available beginning April 1 at PTA.org/ExcellenceTools .
