On any given day, teachers across the country work tirelessly to develop lesson plans and learning targets that support students who are not always present to learn. In the years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, student attendance has become an urgent concern for teachers and school leaders as schools have begun to focus… Read More A Proactive Approach to Attendance: 10 Strategies to Add to Your Toolkit
Mindset Shifts: Building Balanced Partnerships
Intentionally shifting our mindset around shared decision-making can be scary, yet can also be empowering. Ensuring your team embraces the power of including different voices to make changes can wield truly innovative, sustainable shifts in the culture of your school. Inviting stakeholders, those who are truly representative of your community, to be active participants in… Read More Mindset Shifts: Building Balanced Partnerships
Formed Families Forward
Formed Families Forward is the family partner to the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports project, an initiative of the Virginia Department of Education, and supports divisions and schools in their efforts to engage families and community partners. Formed Families Forward is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families of children and… Read More Formed Families Forward
November is Family Engagement in Schools Month
November is Family Engagement in Schools Month. Governor Ralph Northam has issued a proclamation outlining the importance of families as they help their children reach their full potential. He notes that “Family Involvement in Education Month is an opportunity to recognize the important relationship between families and education institutions and the work being done throughout the… Read More November is Family Engagement in Schools Month
Five Simple Ways to Engage Families
Create a Culture Create a culture where every family feels a sense of belonging to the school. Communicate what the student is learning and offer ongoing training to support families’ efforts to extend learning from school to home. Learning Heroes Roadmap offers parents a variety of ways to keep their child on track. Communicate Effectively… Read More Five Simple Ways to Engage Families
Three (+1) Important VDOE Resources for Special Education Leaders
Resources here are designed to support decision-making, compliance, and instruction for students with disabilities. These Virginia Department of Education documents include ideas for teachers and families. NEW!! Special Education Student Services Reopening Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Posted August 26, 2020 Sustaining Inclusive Practices for Virtual Learning for Students with Disabilities (Word) – This document offers guidance, suggestions, and resources… Read More Three (+1) Important VDOE Resources for Special Education Leaders