Designbook for Building Partnerships School, Home, and Community

by Blank, Mary Ann; Kershaw, Cheryl

• ISBN13: 9781566766197
• ISBN10: 1566766192
• Edition: Looseleaf
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-01-28
• Publisher: R&L Education

Summary

A solid foundation is essential when building anything, especially a community. When partnerships are well designed, regularly nurtured, and systematically maintained, they form a needed solid foundation for deep and lasting relationships with a community. This book provides a comprehensive summary of innovative ideas that encourages a mutually beneficial bond between the schools and the surrounding community to form.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. xi
Introduction and Background	p. 1
Important Features	p. 1
Research Support for Parent Involvement	p. 3
Assumptions About School, Family, and Community Partnerships	p. 5
Challenges and Barriers to Parental Involvement	p. 7
Essential Components for Effective Partnerships	p. 11
How to Use the Designbook	p. 16
Gathering Perceptions and Collaborating on Results	p. 17
Strategies for Gaining Input from Parents and Community Members	p. 22
Building Community--Strengthening Partnerships: Parent Survey	p. 25
Building Community--Strengthening Partnerships: Community Survey	p. 28
Guidelines for Gathering Perceptions from "Hard to Reach" Parents	p. 30
Building Community--Strengthening Partnerships: Parent Survey Tally Sheet	p. 31
Building Community--Strengthening Partnerships: Community Survey Tally Sheet	p. 36
Collaborating Productively: Using Effective Decision Making and Problem Solving Process	p. 39
When Should We Collaborate?	p. 42
Facilitating Collaboration	p. 43
Facilitator's "Lesson" Plan for Collaboration	p. 44
Pitfalls to Avoid in Effective Collaboration	p. 47
Guidelines for Collaboration or "Rules We Live By"	p. 49
Rules We Live By--Name Tent	p. 51
Brainstorming	p. 52
Challenge (or Opportunity) Identification	p. 53
Prioritizing	p. 54
Decision Making	p. 56
The PMI (Plus-Minus-Interesting) Strategy for Making Decisions	p. 58
Dimensions of Learning: Decision Making Process	p. 59
Consensus Decision Making	p. 60
Problem Solving	p. 61
Problem Understanding	p. 62
Problem Solving Worksheet	p. 63
Thinking About ... Risk Taking and Creative Thinking	p. 64
Creative Problem Solving: "IWWMW In What Ways Might We ...	p. 65
Starburst	p. 67
Data-based Problem Solving Action Research	p. 68
Reflection on Our Collaborative Decision Making or Problem Solving	p. 69
Creating a School Environment for Learning	p. 71
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere	p. 76
Positive Beginnings	p. 79
Putting Our Best Foot Forward	p. 81
What School and Student Successes Should Be Highlighted and How?	p. 83
Making the School Accessible for Parents With ...	p. 84
Parents as Greeters	p. 85
Students as Greeters	p. 86
Friendliness Audit	p. 87
Friendliness Audit	p. 88
Establishing a Climate of Cooperation and Acceptance	p. 89
Primary Student School Climate Questionnaire	p. 92
Primary Student School Questionnaire Tally Sheet	p. 93
Elementary Student School Climate Questionnaire	p. 94
Elementary Student School Climate Questionnaire Tally Sheet	p. 95
Student Classroom Questionnaire	p. 96
Student Classroom Questionnaire Tally Sheet	p. 97
Parent Classroom Questionnaire	p. 98
Parent Classroom Questionnaire Tally Sheet	p. 99
Student Classroom Questionnaire Results	p. 100
Parent Classroom Questionnaire Results	p. 101
Appreciating and Celebrating Diversity	p. 102
Visual	p. 103
Reflections on Diversity	p. 104
Appreciating and Celebrating Diversity	p. 105
Appreciating and Celebrating Diversity: What We Can Do	p. 106
Guidelines for Promoting Trust and Respect Throughout the School Community	p. 107
Faculty Reflection: Promoting Trust and Respect Throughout the School Community	p. 109
Promoting Positive Social Behaviors: Building Character	p. 110
Successful Practices for Promoting Positive Social Behaviors	p. 111
Educators' Guidelines for Helping Parents Reinforce Social Behaviors at Home	p. 114
Letter to Parents	p. 115
Ensuring a Safe and Secure Climate for Learning	p. 116
Strategies for Collaborating With Parents on Discipline	p. 119
Student Discipline Contract	p. 122
Assessing Progress Worksheet	p. 123
Working With Parents to Resolve Conflicts	p. 124
Strategies for Managing Conflicts	p. 125
A Process for Working With Parents to Help Students Resolve Conflicts or Solve Problems	p. 126
Guidelines for Resolving Conflicts Positively and Productively	p. 127
"Win-Win" Confrontation Strategies	p. 131
Developing a School Climate That Reduces the Impact of Negative Peer Pressure	p. 132
Developing Home Atmospheres That Reduce the Impact of Negative Peer Pressure	p. 134
Visuals	p. 136
Violence Prevention: Questions for Self-Reflection	p. 139
Faculty School Climate Worksheet	p. 140
Communicating Effectively	p. 141
Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to Effective Communication	p. 146
Recognizing Our Perceptual Filters	p. 150
The Ladder of Inference	p. 151
Skit: Climbing the Ladder of Inference	p. 152
Promoting Dialogue	p. 154
Improving Interpersonal Communication Skills	p. 155
Understanding Differences and Appreciating Diversity	p. 156
Keeping Parents and Faculty "In the Know"	p. 158
Checklist for Written Communications	p. 161
Communication Specs	p. 163
Communication Web	p. 169
Parent Communication Form	p. 172
Communication Extras	p. 173
Making the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences	p. 174
Our School's Parent-Teacher Conferences: How Effective Are They? (Educator's Reflection)	p. 176
Our School's Parent-Teacher Conferences: How Effective Are They? (Parents' Reflection)	p. 178
Initial Letter from Educator to Parent to Schedule a Parent-Teacher Conference	p. 180
Follow-up Letter from Educator Notifying Parent of Conference Time	p. 181
Details for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences	p. 182
Checklist for Verbal Communications Especially for Parent-Teacher Conferences	p. 183
Preparing for the Conference: Teacher Worksheet	p. 185
Comments for Parents to Share with the Child After the Conference	p. 187
Follow-up Note or Phone Call to Parent(s)	p. 188
Student-led Conferences: A Positive Alternative	p. 189
Preparing for a "Challenging" Conference with Parent(s)	p. 190
Moving Beyond Report Cards in Communicating Student Progress	p. 192
Using Parent Focus Groups To Improve Reporting Practices	p. 196
Faculty Discussion Guide for Describing the Current Grading and Reporting System	p. 197
Faculty Discussion Guide for Assessing the Current Grading and Reporting System	p. 198
Designing Alternative Report Cards	p. 199
Reverse/Interactive Report Card	p. 202
Promoting Positive Public Perceptions	p. 203
Communicating School Pride	p. 206
Getting the Word Out. So-What's So Great About This School?	p. 207
Students as Ambassadors to the Community	p. 208
Media Support For Education. Ten for the Future: A Model	p. 209
Promoting Supportive Relationships	p. 211
Reaching Out	p. 216
Current Practices to Reach Out To Families	p. 218
How Effective Are Our Practices to Reach Out to Families?	p. 219
Getting Acquainted	p. 220
Making the Most of Informal Events	p. 224
Making the Most of Formal Events: Open House	p. 226
Making the Most of Events: Performances	p. 228
Making the Most of Formal Events: Holiday Celebrations	p. 229
Traditions That Encourage Parent Participation	p. 230
Going "Above and Beyond" Tactics	p. 232
Evaluating Formal Events	p. 233
Making Connections: Really Getting to Know One Another	p. 234
Parent Information and Interest Inventory	p. 237
Parent Information Chart	p. 239
Parent Visits with the Principal	p. 240
Home Visits	p. 241
Hosting a Retreat	p. 245
Guidelines for Creating a Parent Center	p. 248
Assuring "Smooth Transitions" to New Schools or School Levels	p. 250
Transitions: Helping Parents Help Their Child	p. 252
Transitions: Helping Parents Help Their Child	p. 253
Ideas for Helping Parents and Students Make Smooth Transitions	p. 254
Developing and Maintaining Relationships	p. 256
Parent Networking Strategies	p. 259
Guidelines for Connecting Parents and Families with Agencies and Services	p. 261
What Educators and Business Leaders Can Do to Promote Effective Partnerships	p. 262
Criteria for Successful School and Business Partnerships	p. 263
School and Business Partnerships: One School System's Ideas for What Each Can Provide	p. 264
Strategies for Making the School The Hub of the Community	p. 265
Guidelines for Supporting Members of The School Community During a Crisis	p. 267
Recognizing and Celebrating Accomplishments	p. 268
Developing Shared Expectations	p. 273
Understanding Current Needs: Collect, Portray, and Analyze Data	p. 278
Data Collection, Portrayal, and Analysis Results in ...	p. 281
Steps in Developing A Database	p. 282
Potential Data Sources	p. 283
Data Portrayal: Longitudinal and Disaggregated	p. 284
Identifying Significant Findings from the Data	p. 285
Future Trends That Will Shape Our Lives and Our Schools	p. 286
Establish a Vision for the Future	p. 287
How do a Vision and Mission Contribute to a School?	p. 290
One School's Vision and Missions	p. 291
PreVision Activities to Identify Important Beliefs and Values	p. 292
Setting the Stage for Establishing a Vision	p. 293
Criteria for a Good Vision and Vision Setting Process	p. 295
Sharing the Vision	p. 296
Our Vision is Our Shared Responsibility at_____	p. 297
Aligning Actions and Decisions with Vision	p. 298
Moving the Vision to Action Through Collaborative Long Range Planning	p. 300
Moving the Vision to Action Through Collaborative Long Range Planning	p. 304
Capitalizing on Strengths and Finding Ways Around Obstacles	p. 305
Vision	p. 306
Finding New Alternatives	p. 307
Planning Guide	p. 308
Reflection on the Planning Process	p. 309
Reinforcing Learning Expectations	p. 311
Expectation Discussion Guide	p. 313
Developing a "Can Do" Attitude	p. 314
Checklist: Are We A "Can Do" School?	p. 315
Collaborative Goal Setting for Student Growth	p. 317
Student Goal Setting Worksheet	p. 320
Reflecting about Possible Goals	p. 322
Parent Observation Form	p. 323
Parent Report Card	p. 324
Reflecting on Expectations Our Children Hold for Themselves	p. 325
Being Positive Role Models for Children	p. 326
Involving Others Productively	p. 327
Increasing Opportunities for Parent and Community Involvement	p. 332
Here They Come-Ready or Not!	p. 334
Worksheet for Identifying Possible Roles	p. 335
Range of Involvement Roles	p. 336
Involvement Opportunities	p. 337
Opportunities for Student Involvement	p. 338
Maximizing the Potential of Volunteers	p. 339
Discovering Barriers to Involvement	p. 342
Barriers To Successful Volunteer Programs and Strategies to Overcome the Barriers	p. 344
Volunteer Coordinator's Responsibilities	p. 346
Parent Talent Book	p. 347
Recruiting Poster	p. 348
Educator Need Form	p. 349
Parent/Community Member Volunteer Form	p. 350
Orientation and Training Agenda	p. 351
Volunteer Contract	p. 352
Quality Control Measures for the Volunteer Program	p. 353
Educator Formative Evaluation of the Volunteer Program	p. 354
Volunteer Formative Evaluation of the Volunteer Program	p. 355
Educator Summative Evaluation of the Volunteer Program	p. 356
Volunteer Summative Evaluation of the Volunteer Program	p. 357
Ways to Recognize Volunteers and Show Appreciation	p. 358
Working as a Team	p. 359
Determining Team Membership	p. 362
Team Worksheet	p. 363
Productive Team Behaviors	p. 364
Potential Roles for Team Members	p. 365
Guidelines for Productive Meetings: Working Smarter, Not Harder	p. 366
Succeeding at TEAMWORK	p. 368
Team Building Strategies: Developmental Activities for Teams	p. 370
Teamwork Assessment: Team Member Reflection	p. 372
Teamwork Assessment: Team Reflection	p. 373
Interaction Chart	p. 374
Supporting Teaching and Learning	p. 375
Engaging Parental and Community Support for Learning	p. 381
Invitation to a Classroom Visit	p. 383
A Visitor to Learner-Centered Classrooms	p. 384
The Value of Cooperative Learning	p. 385
Strategies for Involving Individuals and Groups in the Private or Public Sector	p. 387
Supporting Learning at Home	p. 389
Discussion Guide to Developing a Schoolwide Homework Policy	p. 391
Homework	p. 393
Student Study Habits Assessment	p. 395
Additional Learning Support	p. 397
George Washington Elementary School's	p. 399
Developing Lifelong Learners	p. 400
Promoting Lifelong Learning-"You're Never Too Old to Learn!"	p. 402
Topics of Interest to Parenting Adults	p. 406
Options for Identifying Adult Learner Needs and Interests	p. 407
Suggestions for Facilitating Adult Learning	p. 409
Lesson Plan for Adult Learning Sessions	p. 410
Meeting Learner Needs Preassessment and Postassessment	p. 412
Participant Evaluations of Learning Session	p. 413
Bibliography	p. 415
Index	p. 423
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