I like this idea because I feel like one of the biggest barriers to people attending school events is that they either can't be there (transportation, childcare, working hours, etc.) or don't feel like being there (long day at work, mentally/physically exhausted or ill, etc.).

Virtual events would allow parents/guardians in these situations to be involved with their child's school without having to go anywhere. It would take away some of that mental load and it may be the beginning of a relationship with parents/guardians who wouldn't otherwise be involved.

It would also be logistically easier and a lot cheaper for the school to host, which means they could do it more frequently than they would a big in-person event.

I believe that one of the most important factors when deciding which family engagement activities to offer is knowing your students, their families, and maintaining open communication. When teachers understand their students and families, they can better identify activities and events that will be meaningful and engaging for their community. One way to gather this information would be to create a list of possible ideas and send home a paper or online interest survey to learn where families’ interests lie. This not only helps teachers plan appropriate events but also begins building a strong line of communication between families and the school.

Another important strategy I often hear from current teachers is reaching out to families individually early in the school year with a positive message about something they have noticed in their child. This helps establish a positive relationship from the beginning and ensures that the first communication families receive from the teacher is encouraging. Then, if a concern arises later in the year, a foundation of trust and open communication has already been established.

I have been fortunate to participate in Math Nights and STEAM Nights while attending West Chester University. These events are often successful because they are designed to be low-pressure experiences where students and families can connect through learning. Families can choose which activities they would like to participate in, and students have the opportunity to show their parents what they have been learning in school. This helps strengthen the relationship between students and their families while allowing parents to become more involved in their child’s education. However, one barrier to these types of events is that not all families are able to attend after-school activities due to work schedules, childcare responsibilities, or other commitments.

The list I found also included virtual engagement ideas that provide similar opportunities for families who cannot attend in person. One idea that stood out to me was a “make and take” night. I had never heard of this concept before, so I did additional research and found that it is similar to a STEAM Night, where families participate in hands-on activities, such as crafts or projects, and are able to take their creations home afterward. While thinking about this idea, I developed a way to make it more accessible for families who may not be able to attend an in-person event.

Students could create “STEM kits” during the school day that include all of the materials and instructions needed to complete a project at home with their families. Families could then complete the activity together and share pictures or a short reflection about their experience with the class the following day. This would allow students to bring the excitement of learning into their homes while creating an opportunity for family bonding. Most importantly, it would help include families who may not be able to attend traditional school events due to scheduling or other barriers.

When I was involved in Scouting with my son, we held a similar event that was free for the community, and many families attended. Our main goal was to get children involved in Scouting, but we also just wanted to provide a fun event for families. We set up a small bicycle obstacle course and a police officer would teach hand signals and provide safety tips. We also worked with a bike shop to perform safety checks on the bicycles. Volunteers checked to ensure that children were wearing appropriate safety equipment for biking and roller skating and adjusted their helmets as needed.

To help with overcrowding at some of the larger activities, local community organizations set up activity stations to keep families of all ages engaged. One of the groups also set up a dunk tank as as fundraiser. Children really enjoy dunking adults!

This could be an event many families would enjoy attending, especially when additional community organizations participate and provide resources and opportunities for children. Setting up the event in a school parking lot would make it more accessible to local families, including those whose children may not be old enough to attend school. Teachers could also run some of the activities or volunteer to get dunked. This fun and engaging family event could also serve as an opportunity to begin building relationships with the parents and guardians of future students.

I think this is a great idea because when families feel connected to the center, they are more likely to communicate with teachers and become involved in their child's education. As someone who works in child care, I've seen how much stronger the partnership is when parents know each other and feel comfortable talking with staff. Those relationships help create a stronger sense of community, which ultimately benefits the children as well.

This type of event helps children see that reading is important both at school and at home. It also gives parents ideas for simple reading activities they can do together, even if they only have a few minutes each day. Family Reading Night creates a welcoming environment where families, teachers, and students can build stronger relationships while supporting children's literacy skills and confidence. Research shows that when families are involved in their children's education, students often have better attendance, stronger reading skills, and greater confidence in school.

Also, at my daycare, we have a "walk in my shoes" paper the parents fill out when they first start their child, so we know what they like and what they don't.