Family and Community Engagement (FACE)

We believe family engagement has a positive effect on student achievement and supports the District mission that each student graduates with options and is prepared to fully participate in our democracy. We will know we have achieved authentic family engagement when students and families feel their cultures are valued and when all families experience trusting and respectful relationships, meaningful communication, and collaborative partnerships.

Trusting Relationships

Respect is at the root of trusting relationships.  Building trusting relationships is ongoing, two-way, and starts from day one. Trust is fostered by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, listening, transparent communication, and valuing the background and culture of families. Honoring the dignity and expertise of families creates understanding and connections. Trusting relationships should be consistently apparent in every engagement.

Family and School Culture

Culture fosters a sense of belonging. Everyone exists within multiple cultures. Culture influences our day-to-day actions, values, beliefs, and interactions. Cultural respect, understanding, and dialogue are essential for positive student sense of self and academic achievement.

Meaningful Communication

Effective communication is our effort to respect and understand one another. It is essential for all voices to be heard. Active listening is necessary for mutual understanding. Communication must be ongoing, two-way, and accessible for all in languages and forms that reach each member of the community.

Collaborative Partnerships

Collaborative Partnerships occur when all voices (students, staff, family, and community) respectfully plan together to support student achievement.  We seek diverse perspectives, input from those impacted, and we create priorities together.  Conversation is connected to action and leads to meaningful solutions.  Expectations, responsibilities, and accountability are shared.  Collaborative Partnerships play to everyone’s strengths.

Renton Schools engages families and communities in a variety of ways at the district and building level.

• Latino Literacy classes
• The Family and Engagement (FACE) Workgroup
• The Natural Leaders Program
• Renton Parent University
• Renton Innovation Zone (RIZ) Family Engagement
• Meetings and Trainings for EL Families
• Title I Parent Group
• District-level professional development to build capacity of staff in best practices including student-led conferences; home visits; academic parent-teacher teams; and other models of family engagement.

All Renton Schools engage families at the building level.  Below are some examples of family engagement activities at different sites.  To find out more about activities at your school, please contact your principal.

• Meadow Crest: Parent Engagement for Gates Early Learning Math Grant
• Benson Hill Elementary:  Community Cafe evening events and Parent Partnership Committee for Gates Early Learning Math Grant
• Bryn Mawr Elementary: Family Resource Room
• Honey Dew Elementary: Parent Teacher Teams
• Highlands Elementary:  
  • expansion of the Renton Parent University
  • a series of classes for families to learn about Sound Discipline tools to improve communication, reduce discipline challenges, and build social-emotional skills at home
  • establishing the African American Parent Engagement Team, to help families become school leaders, build relationships and improve school engagement
  • partnering with Renton Police Sargent John Awai for Spanish-language presentations to help with relationships between police officers and our Latino families
  • partnering with Highlands Elementary specialist teachers in PE, music, and library to incorporate family fun learning activities including dance and music lessons and getting to know how to use computer software as well as parenting classes for all families in the areas of math and reading support
• Maplewood Heights Elementary: Parent Engagement for Gates Early Learning Math Grant
• Talbot Hill Elementary: Parent Engagement for Gates Early Learning Math Grant
• McKnight Middle School: Community Café evening events
• Dimmitt Middle School: Student Led Conferences

You are Invited!

Ready to make a difference in your school and district?  The Renton School District Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Workgroup invites parents and family members to join our collaborative group focused on fostering positive family engagement within our schools.  We work together to ensure our district and school programs reflect trusting relationships, meaningful communication, collaborative partnerships, and belonging for all cultures.

Accomplishments

Since the FACE Workgroup began convening, we have:

• Formed a shared vision of what family engagement can look like in the Renton School District
• Provided input on family survey questions
• Contributed to the creation of a Family Engagement Toolkit for staff

2020-2021 Goals

This year's focus for the FACE workgroup:

1. Provide input on family engagement practices during in-home learning and future transition to in-person learning
2. Give feedback on district programs, initiatives, and practices 
3. Promote positive family engagement within the district

Workgroup Membership

The FACE Workgroup strives to reflect the diversity of Renton Schools.  We are actively recruiting family and staff members who represent the many communities within our schools:

• Ethnicity/race
• Language
• Gender
• Sexual Orientation
• Socio-Economic Status
• Type of Family (single parent, foster care, kinship)
• Geographic locations with the district
• Grade levels (preschool, elementary, middle, high)
• Student programs (general education, Special Education, ELL, Highly Capable, McKinney-Vento, Native American Education, etc.)

Workgroup Qualifications

Must be a parent, family member, caregiver or guardian of a Renton Schools student, or a staff member at the district or building level.

Term of Commitment and Meetings

FACE members commit to attending the majority of FACE meetings within a school year.  Meetings are held monthly.  We are currently meeting virtually by Zoom.  This year's meeting schedule:

• October 13, 2020, 4:00-5:30
• November 18, 2020, 4:00-5:30
• January 19, 2021, 4:00-5:30
• March 16, 2021, 4:00-5:30
• April 20, 2021, 4:00-5:30
• May 18, 2021, 4:00-5:30

Register below:

Family Registration Application

Staff registration Application

 For further information email Michele Starkey at michele.starkey@rentonschools.us or call 425-204-2295.

Visión

Creemos que la participación familiar tiene un efecto positivo en el rendimiento estudiantil y apoya la misión del Distrito de que cada estudiante se gradúe con opciones y esté preparado/a para participar plenamente en nuestra democracia. Sabremos que hemos logrado una auténtica participación familiar cuando los estudiantes y las familias sientan que sus culturas son valoradas y cuando todas las familias experimentan relaciones de confianza y respeto, comunicación significativa y asociaciones de colaboración.

Propósito

Para el año escolar 2019-2020, se convocará un grupo de trabajo para el siguiente propósito:

1. Proporcionar aportes y comentarios sobre prácticas efectivas de participación familiar.
2. Contribuir a la creación de Herramientas de Participación Familiar que ayudará a los maestros, las escuelas y el distrito a involucrar más efectivamente a las familias en la educación de sus hijos.

Membresía del Grupo de Trabajo

El comité estará compuesto por hasta 30 miembros. Para garantizar que el comité refleje la diversidad de las Escuelas de Renton, reclutaremos miembros de la familia y el personal que representen una variedad de orígenes que incluyen:

• Origen étnico/raza
• Idioma
• Género
• Orientación Sexual
• Nivel Socioeconómico
• Tipo de Familia (monoparental, cuidado tutelar, parentesco)
• Ubicaciones geográficas con el distrito
• Niveles de grado (preescolar, primaria, secundaria, preparatoria)
• Programas para estudiantes (Educación General, Educación Especial, ELL, Altamente Capaces, McKinney-Vento, Educación para Nativos Americanos, etc.)

Requisitos del Grupo de Trabajo

Debe ser un padre/madre, miembro de la familia o tutor de un estudiante de las Escuelas de Renton, o un miembro del personal a nivel del distrito o plantel.

Plazo de Compromiso y Reuniones

El plazo de compromiso es un año escolar. Las reuniones se llevarán a cabo mensualmente de enero a mayo de 2020, el segundo martes de cada mes, de 4:00 a 5:30 en el Edificio Administrativo del Distrito.

• Martes, Enero 14
• Martes, Febrero 11
• Martes, Marzo 10
• Martes, Abril 14
• Martes, Mayo 12

Ahora solicitantes para el grupo de trabajo FACE: solicite antes del 13 de diciembre

Complete la solicitud y envíela a Michele Starkey michele.starkey@rentonschools.us o por correo a 300 SW 7^th St, Renton, WA 98057. Para más información envíe un correo electrónico o llame a Michele Starkey al 425-204-2295

The Natural Leaders Program is an opportunity for parents and family members to grow their leadership and serve as multi-cultural bridges within their schools and community.  The Natural Leaders Program is supported by the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS) in partnership with Renton Schools.  Natural Leaders are parents and family members that represent the cultural and linguistic diversity of the school community and are trained to help connect families, community, and schools.

If you are interested in becoming a Natural Leader or helping to start a Natural Leaders program at your school, please fill out the Natural Leaders Interest Form or contact Michele Starkey by email at michele.starkey@rentonschools.us or by phone at 425-204-2295.