In addition to parental involvement, community involvement in schools has been shown to help students achieve higher grades, remain in school longer and to promote regular school attendance. This lesson lists strategies discussed throughout the first four modules on how to involve the community in your school.
Activities
Examine the needs of the community
1) Look for ways students can contribute to their neighbors by doing neighborhood cleanups and other volunteer work.
http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/engaging-ell-families-through-community-partnerships
(Module 2, Lesson 5 – Ways to Familiarize Families with the School System: Learn About Others Strategies to Help Families Gain a Better Understanding of the School System)
Involving the community
1) Inform local neighbors about the opportunity to tutor, volunteer, or donate used goods to the school (this may be especially helpful to ELL families).
http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/engaging-ell-families-through-community-partnerships
(Module 2, Lesson 5 – Ways to Familiarize Families with the School System: Learn About Others Strategies to Help Families Gain a Better Understanding of the School System)
2) Tell the community about the challenges your ELL families are facing. For example, if your have a new group of refugees arriving, collaborate with their placement agency to collect household items, furniture, need clothing.
http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/engaging-ell-families-through-community-partnerships
(Module 2, Lesson 5 – Ways to Familiarize Families with the School System: Learn About Others Strategies to Help Families Gain a Better Understanding of the School System)