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Parent/Family Engagement - Adult Support

Parent engagement in a child’s learning is essential and Big Picture Schools "enroll" families as well as students in the entire life of the school. By bringing students out into the community and bringing the community into the school, Big Picture schools become community assets and positive, learning-rich contributors to their surrounding neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

Parents and families are essential to the success of Big Picture Schools from start up through day-to-day operation. Most importantly, families are engaged in their children's education by regularly participating in learning plan meetings and exhibitions. Families are resources at these times for their knowledge about their children’s strengths, weaknesses, and lives outside of school. They also serve as resources to the school community by connecting the school with potential LTIs and mentors, some even serving as mentors themselves.

Families play an active role in the school community that includes supporting the school politically, participating in celebrations and social gatherings, and supporting new parents and students. They are also viewed as life-long learners who need support in learning how to play a proactive role in the school life of their children through high school and on to college and the work world.

Essential Elements of Parent/Family Engagement – Adult Support Include:

• Families are educated and asked to play an active role in the education and school life of their children
• Parental voice in school organization and culture
• Families attend and participate in learning plan meetings and exhibitions each quarter
• Parents as well as students are Interviewed and sign participation agreements along with their students upon enrollment
• Families are educated to play a proactive role in the college process
• Families play important and proactive roles to garner and show political and community support for the school