# data[].attributes.body
* We need to figure out how our individual puzzle piece fits in the big picture
* How to create the sense of community
* Effective, purposeful, meaningful communication - why are we communicating and what message are we trying to get across
* Each school is unique. What works at K-8 doesn't necessarily work at middle schools. No one right method
* Must be aware of the community needs and meet their needs - not just the school needs
* We are a very diverse district, must engage all groups

# data[].attributes.body
Parents:
-Communication
-Being more focused
-More productive
-More informed about resources.
Teacher:
-Students are more successful when  parents are involved.
-We need to invest more time engaging families.
Early Childhood:
-Parents are the first teacher
-Get them resources early.
- Students are more successful when parents are involved.
Special Services:
-Make sure families know we value them.
-Trust
-First impression is key
-Get resources for families.
-Relationships and dialogue.
-Make sure we are not judgemental.
-Communication is key.
Academic Services:
-Parents know the kids
-Don't want it to snow

Takeaways:
-Relationships...early
-Communication
-Trust
-More focused and productive
-Proactive instead of reactive.
-Family engagement has major impact
-Appreciation
-Be more (+) than (-)
-Giving specific examples of student work

# data[].attributes.body
We value family and community engagement because:
It benefits our students, their families and strengthens communities;
Creates more accountability all around for the student, the school, the family and the community;
Utilizes more expertise in the community - why reinvent the wheel?
Creates more advocates for public education and a focus on children;
Reinforces what we want students to know when it comes from another expert - volunteer, partner.
Creates an awareness of more opportunities for careers and life experiences - going to college, travel.
Provides hope for students and families

# data[].attributes.body
We value family and community engagement because:
Because our schools are the neighborhood hub, we have to increase trust, collaboration and engagement with our parents. We must engage with our families in a more proactive way due to the change of our culture and communities.
If we increase the collaboration and communication with our families we are more likely to gain the family support we need to be successful in schools.

# data[].attributes.body
We value family and community engagement because:
*Increase the understanding of the big picture and how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together
*Partnerships
*Connection, community, communication
*Not a we vs. them mentality-it's us
*Takes a village to raise a child
*Role of families-biggest stakeholder in a child's life-need to engage to make impact
Important to have shared expectations with everyone involved.
*There is a way to engage everyone-need to find common language
*We all have the same goal but need to figure out how to get there

# data[].attributes.body
Focus communication that is meaningful
Make parents aware of the tools that are available to them
Give parents an outlet to communicate without repercussions
Allows parents not to feel alone
Engagement needs to be productive with solutions
Change relationship from being one sided to becoming a team
Greater use of technology
creates sense of community

# data[].attributes.body
-Valuing relationships
-Have some give and take
-Essential to student success
-About the whole child
-We cannot do anything without our families.
-Communication
-Positive relationships
-We release students back into the community and they are a reflection of our school.
-Parent Engagement is our foundation.
-Principals are crucial to training parents
-True Partnership
-Major impact on success
-How to develop relationships with our current society.
-Students using common language and vocabulary at home and school.
-Students need to know school is there to help them.
-We are dealing with different families from diverse situations.
-Economic changes.
-Technology changes.

# data[].attributes.body
We value family and community engagement because:
* Our relationships with our students' families create connections that the families need
We cannot support our students alone. We need our community partners and parents' support
* Parents' expectations of their children determine the course of their children's life AND teachers can sometimes help parents see a wider range of possibilities
* Students who have parents who are engaged are more successful in school
* Engaging parents stimulates the children
* Parents are their children's first teacher.
* Students feel proud and confident when their parents are engaged
* It connects families with resources

# data[].attributes.body
Our main talking points are:
* We all want what's best for kids. Though we are in different areas (community, parent, school) we all play a part in making sure kids are getting what they need.
* Meaningful communication is important for parents to stay involved and connected. It is important to share with parents what is meaningful to WESD so they feel included and  can then help the school support their child.
* WESD needs to share with families what services they offer.
* It's important to support parents to help their child have a voice.
* The families, not only the student, who are our "customers".
* Communication about what we are doing here and what is available to our families is key to support our students.
* We as WESD, community, parents, and other partnerships need to be key role models for children.
* "I'm going to help you." "I'm your solution." WESD staff be available to support families to in turn support children.

# data[].attributes.body
We value family an community engagement because:
*makes a difference in students lives
*we need everyone to be involved and accountable
*class family, the more the stronger
*students spend a ton of time at school
*the kids grow academically and behaving better, parents aware and involved with goals and know what the target is
*You never know what's going to reach a kid, we should be trying all options
*social aspect of students being part of a bigger community...how to help, parents and community modeling
*see each others strengths
visual support of parental academic expectations-if they show up they think it is important
*community of learning versus an elementary school
*authentic
-translation barriers
-barriers for facilities and volunteer, running classes
-barrier with fingerprinting process...is there a way to use in other ways
-balance of student safety concerns & inclusion of adults in a variety of areas (field trips versus helping during the day)
-parent liaison for only some schools
-breaking down silos on a campus around community outreach
-use of the outreach survey data to help increase engagement
-use of feeder school communities to work as teams for engagement...not school alone.