Family Support in NYS PBIS
Family Involvement
Type 2
Communicating
Basic Responsibilities of Schools
School-To-Home Communications
Memos, notices, report
cards, conferences, newsletters, phone calls, computerized messages
Information on school
programs, tests, and children’s progress
Information to choose or
change schools, courses, programs, or activities
Home-To-School Communications
Two-way channels of
communication for questions and interactions
Challenges for Schools
Make all memos, notices,
and other print and non-print communications clear and understandable for ALL
families
Obtain ideas from
families to improve the design and content of communications such as
newsletters, report cards, and conference schedules
Redefinitions
“Communications about school programs and student progress” are not only from school to home, but also from home to school and with the community.
Expected Outcomes
Students:
Awareness of
own progress and of actions needed to maintain or improve grades
Understanding
of school policies on behavior, attendance, and other areas of conduct
Informed
decisions about courses and programs
Awareness of
own role in partnerships, serving as courier and communicator
Primary Care Giver/Parent/Guardian:
Understanding
school programs and policies
Monitoring
and awareness of student progress
Responding
effectively to student problems
Interactions
with teachers and ease of communications with school and teachers
Teachers:
Increased
diversity and use of communications with families and awareness of ability to
communicate clearly
Appreciation
and use of parent network for communications
Increased
ability to elicit and understand family views on children’s programs and
progress
Sample Practices
Conferences
with every parent at least once a year, with follow ups as needed
Language
translators assist families as needed
Weekly or
monthly folders of student work sent home for review and comments
Parent-student pickup of report cards, with conferences on student progress
Regular
schedule of useful notices, memos, phone calls, newsletters, and other
communications
Clear
information on choosing schools or courses, programs and activities within
schools
Clear
information on all school policies, programs, reforms and transitions