Creating a Vision for CRSE Family Engagement by Matt Gonzales (Liberation Spaces)

2025-10-08 16:05:48 UTC

Families would feel more included, respected, and represented in school decisions. Communication would happen in their home languages and reflect their cultures.

2025-10-08 16:06:10 UTC

I think we would look at all the cultures represented in our school and do bi- monthly culturally relative activities

breakout room 2

2025-10-08 16:07:00 UTC

Parents would step in and be more involved in students' learning and growth. Parents would show more interest and engagement.

Celebrating holidays with families in school

2025-10-08 16:07:16 UTC

2025-10-08 16:07:19 UTC

I would let go of assumptions about what people do and start asking parents directly to share some of their experiences

Ms. Reyes

2025-10-08 16:07:26 UTC

By inviting families from underrepresented groups to lead discussions and share their stories or traditions with the school community.

2025-10-08 16:07:35 UTC

In my school CRSE is in the school's mission and vision. This year one of ours schools' goals is to have more families come in and participate in the activities provided by the school. We are working on new strategies to do so.

2025-10-08 16:07:50 UTC

I think that we have to strive to create a better balance between information presented virtually and information presented in-person; not all families are computer/device-literate

Breakout Room 10

2025-10-08 16:08:29 UTC

The lack of time gets in the way, and all the expectations from the different initiatives.

2025-10-08 16:08:33 UTC

Working directly with families, getting to know them better.

We would meet families where they are at. We won't assume that they all have 9-5slike we do. We would be accommodating for a wide range of schedules

2025-10-08 16:08:51 UTC

2025-10-08 16:09:12 UTC

We invite school administrators, parent coordinators and other school leaders to come to our Adult Ed ESL classes when they are held in community schools. This enables our adult students to engage with the school while they are in their comfort zone

2025-10-08 16:09:27 UTC

I would look carefully at the ATS reports with the family languages/ countries and ensure that even if we only have one student from a country, we do something to showcase their culture and heritage.

Ms. Reyes

2025-10-08 16:09:33 UTC

I believe one way to get to know what families prefer is through home surveys, family interviews, or informal meet-and-greets to learn their strengths and goals.

Room 16

2025-10-08 16:10:01 UTC

Parent-teacher conferences and events would be offered at various times to accommodate working families and those with different schedules.

2025-10-08 16:10:02 UTC

My school has been implementing the use of Pocketalks this year to communicate more effectively (time and accurately) with parents. It has been working really well so far- so more of this!

2025-10-08 16:10:13 UTC

Every email attachment was translated. Emails can be translated, but not the attachments.

breakout room 2

2025-10-08 16:10:15 UTC

bring in more family cultural activities (e.g. windows and mirrors), events where we can share our backgrounds, family symbols, traditions...

2025-10-08 16:10:45 UTC

We used a survey in different languages to get to know more about families cultures.

2025-10-08 16:11:21 UTC

Families need to work, they do not have time for a lot of school engagements.

Assess & Address

2025-10-08 16:11:38 UTC

I think assessing which groups/communities have less representation and then really reaching out to invite those families/groups to share their experiences/culture would help honor them. Making school feel like a welcoming supportive place through language, practices, activities and events will show support and inclusiveness.

2025-10-08 16:11:48 UTC

One way to know what families can contribute is by calling them and inviting them in. Or just asking questions over the phone and sending home information or questions in their home language. We could also ask the students directly how we can best communicate with their families.

2025-10-08 16:12:18 UTC

Sending home family surveys and reviewing the surveys sent to families from the DOE.

The first way to contact a parent should not be email. Phone calls should be the first line of communication. Messages often go to spam and parents think the school never contacts them

2025-10-08 16:12:23 UTC

Deficit mindsets of family capabilities

2025-10-08 16:13:10 UTC

Differential Strategies

2025-10-08 16:13:13 UTC

Making time to call and outreach to each and every family, while making sure to get proper interpretation included, one family at a time is an ultimate dream goal. Hopefully, the scheduled frequent outreach would help build and enhance comfortable relationships between the families and the school.

2025-10-08 16:13:48 UTC

Something that gets in the way is lack of time for both teachers and parents. Also, parents are sometimes hesistant to share certain things that may be different from what Americans typically do. It's important to make the parents feel welcome and accepted.

A Different Environment

2025-10-08 16:14:02 UTC

I envision that ideally, a day would come when families of various cultures would feel more comfortable coming into the school to meet and share traditions and viewpoints through multiple small and large discussion groups and events which would help create a richer and more inclusive tapestry of cultures in the building.

Get their input on what they need. Don't assume what they need. Ask

2025-10-08 16:14:13 UTC

breakout room 2

2025-10-08 16:14:35 UTC

getting to know them and be open to learning new things about them. being open minded to other cultures who don't have personal connection with.

Room 16

2025-10-08 16:14:41 UTC

We would co-create events with families. For example, we would invite families to help plan curriculum nights, celebrations, and workshops.

2025-10-08 16:16:05 UTC

I would offer parent meetings in the afternoon or evenings so parents can attend.

Make it easy for families to have a voice. Over communicate how the school system works, how College apps work etc. Get to know our families on a personal level.

2025-10-08 16:16:08 UTC

2025-10-08 16:17:20 UTC

providing a google form in their home language with options on what and when they are available to come in. This way I can also know their interests and willingness, if those families can't come in share information virtually.

2025-10-08 16:17:22 UTC

One way to get is to create simple polls and surveys

2025-10-08 16:18:13 UTC

This is a conversation to have with admin and staff. How can we support those that need it.

Language barriers, knowledge about policies. No privacy to have in-depth conversations. Staff not available when families are not available. Try are best with what we have

2025-10-08 16:18:14 UTC

2025-10-08 16:18:19 UTC

Sometimes reliable translation is not available for parent meetings

Room 16

2025-10-08 16:18:34 UTC

Ensure that marginalized students and families see themselves in what is taught, how it's taught, and who teaches it.

breakout room 2

2025-10-08 16:18:37 UTC

consistent open communication through Google classroom, clear communication, finding different ways to get in touch with them (e.g. class dojo, phone calls, emails). ideally, parents who want to volunteer and reach out of their interest. as well as meeting in person (e.g. PTC, workshops)

family obligations

2025-10-08 16:18:44 UTC

Our families have many responsibilities with jobs, childcare, caring for other family members, after school activities that organizing actual time being able to come into school with schedules can be difficult. We can plan these great activities, but sometimes the families won't be able to make it.

breakout room 2

2025-10-08 16:19:56 UTC

consistency and trying every single means of communication. making appointments that accommodates their schedule.

2025-10-08 16:20:36 UTC

We are adding Holiday Celebrations with our Parent/Student Language Institute which helps us learn more about the different cultures.

2025-10-08 16:21:17 UTC

There may be cultural differences-in some cultures parents are not welcome or discouraged from coming into schools or voicing their opinions. They may not understand that this and it might take lots of conversations to change that mindset and help them understand that they are welcome in schools.

Closer to the Margins

2025-10-08 16:29:02 UTC

Asking for family input about improvements for and addtions to our current multicultural celebrations hopefully would encourage more participation and a greater sense of inclusion. Creating safe listening sessions while offering resource information is also a goal.

What's In the Way

2025-10-08 16:29:58 UTC

Not enough hours in the day!