While participating in the Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, Ohio parent Ronshea developed a plan to introduce restorative practices and positive communication practices among families in her local school. Read more about her plan below.
Introduction
I am a parent leader in the Cincinnati Public School district. As a dedicated parent and active member of my children’s school communities, I believe having a partnership between parents and teacher is essential to student success. Having open two-way communication, mutual trust, and shared goals focused on the child’s holistic development is priority.
One of the biggest challenges our district faces is a lack in meaningful positive communication. Leaving parents not feeling welcome in our schools, and teachers feeling undermined and unsupported. Ultimately impacting family engagement in our
schools. I saw the urgent need to introduce families to restorative practices with the objective of enhancing student achievement through family engagement.
Goal
The goal of School Family Restore and Connect is to enhance communications and family engagement in students’ educational development and success.
This will be accomplished by:
- Increased awareness: Educate families of the benefits restorative practices can provide
- Identify barriers: Work collectively to understand why positive connections and engagement is important for student success
- Strengthen positive communication between student-family-school partnerships
- Provide support and community resources
- Motivate and recognize family engagements
Expected Outcomes
- Increased Parent Engagement: Families become more proactive in participating in student achievement. Increased teacher morale.
- Improved Attendance Rates: Chronic absenteeism decreased by increased feelings of belonging and safety
- Enhanced Student Behavior and Well-being: Children see parents and teachers working together builds confidence and emotional security. Regular communication help to identify potential issues early.
- Stronger School-Family Partnerships: Increased trust among staff, student, and family. Schools and families share responsibility for student success and well-being.
Potential Challenges
- Parent & Student Buy-In: Some parents may not see Restorative Practices as a tool/ benefit.
- Identifying & Addressing Barriers: Some school families face complex challenges (issues involving courts, violence) that required more long-term solutions. Diverse views/ maintaining non-judgmental atmosphere.
- Sustaining Engagement Over Time: Funding and resources to incentivise participation. Low/ Inconsistent attendance.
Next Steps
Changes
- Create leaflet to place in local libraries for families before the school year begins to build awareness early.
- Develop community partnerships to help spread information and encourage participation.
- Develop summer initiative for Pre-K parent proactive engagement.
- Advocate for district-wide restorative family engagement initiatives to ensure ongoing support beyond a single school.
Maintenance
- Continue Family Engagement workshops
- Build strong school-community partnership
- Create social network platform for parent engagement information and communication support.