While participating in the Family Leaders for Ohio Schools Academy at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center, Ohio parent Mia developed a plan for a family game night. Read more about her plan below.
Introduction
As PTO President, I believe every family deserves a welcoming opportunity to connect with our school community. Research shows that family engagement leads to improved academic outcomes, better attendance, and stronger student well-being. When parents and students have the space to connect, share, and support one another, students feel that unity and thrive because of it. I saw an opportunity to create a fun, inclusive event where families and education come together as partners leading to the family Engagement Game Night.
Goal
Create a school culture where every family feels welcomed and connected, strengthening the partnership between Starling K-8 and its families to support student success.
Objectives
- Increase Awareness: Educate families about school programs, the PTO, and available resources.
- Build Connections: Create meaningful in-person interactions between families, teachers, and staff.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Foster better communication between parents and school leadership.
- Recruit Volunteers: Connect interested families to the PTO and school volunteer opportunities.
- Celebrate Community: Recognize student and volunteer contributions through the event.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased Family Presence: 50+ family units attended, meeting the event goal and demonstrating strong community interest.
- Stronger School-Family Connections: Families built direct relationships with teachers, staff, and school leadership in a welcoming setting.
- Positive Community Feedback: At least 80% of survey respondents reported a positive experience and felt more connected.
- PTO Volunteer Growth: The PTO parent recruitment table collected contact information from families interested in joining or volunteering.
- Student Recognition: 8th grade Softball Spartans volunteers were rewarded with a special lunch, reinforcing positive school participation.
Potential Challenges
- Scheduling & Attendance Barriers: Some families face work obligations or transportation issues during the 4:30–6:00 p.m. window.
- Reaching All Families: Families with language barriers or limited digital access may miss event information without multi-channel outreach.
- Volunteer Coordination: Coordinating teachers, student volunteers, and PTO members within a condensed time frame requires clear communication.
Next Steps
Changes
- Begin family outreach and parent education about the event at least two weeks in advance so families can plan ahead and arrange transportation.
- Develop parent ambassadors to help spread event information and encourage community participation.
- Recruit student volunteers from multiple grade levels to build a sustainable volunteer pipeline.
- Advocate for district-wide family engagement events to expand community impact beyond a single school.
Maintenance
- Continue hosting regular Game Nights and family events to sustain school-family partnerships.
- Advocate for permanent school programs rather than one-time events to build lasting community engagement.