Pre-K Family Engagement Plan 2024-25

Introduction

Family engagement is defined as:

“The mutual responsibility of families, schools, and communities to build relationships to support student learning and achievement,  support family well-being, and the continuous learning and development of children, families, and educators.  Family engagement is fully integrated in the child’s educational experience and is both culturally and linguistically appropriate.”  Texas Administrative Code §102.1003.

Brenham Independent School District (BISD) believes that the education of all students should be a partnership between the school and the parent community.  Both the District and the parent community play an essential role in the success of all students.

Primary Contact & Contact Information for Families:

        Melissa Boenker, ECLC Principal

        mboenker@brenhamk-12.net 

979-277-3770

304 Kerr Street, Brenham, TX 77833

BISD, in partnership with parents in the community, Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) - PK, and Krause Elementary School (KES) - Bilingual PK, have created a family engagement plan that reflects practices that enhance parent and community involvement and reflect the specific needs of early learners.

BISD wants to ensure that information related to school and parent/family program, meetings, and other activities is sent to parent/families in a format and, to the extinct practicable, in a language the parents can understand:

Family Engagement Plan Committee Members:

Committee Members

Role

Melissa Boenker

ECLC Principal

Sarah Cook

KES Principal

Sara Borchgardt

Chief Academic Officer

Mary Gold

District Representative

Maria Paz

Teacher

Konstance Lester

Teacher

Carrie Aschenbeck

Teacher

Lourdes Rosales

Teacher

Jessica Flores

Parent

Eric Crosby

Community Member

Rebecca Mertz

Community Member

Latoshia Richardson

Paraprofessional

Sara Dreyer

SPED


The six Brenham ISD Family Engagement Plan strategies are based on empirical research and are proven to demonstrate positive short-term and long-term outcomes for early childhood education.  This plan expresses what is contained in the Commissioner’s Rule (102.1003(f)) in addition to specific examples of how each of the family engagement strategies will be accomplished in our high-quality Early Childhood Program.  The following articulates strategies within each of the six domains:

Facilitate Family-to-Family Support

The BISD Program will create a safe and respectful environment where families can learn from each other as individuals and in groups, invite former participants (including families and community volunteers) to share education and career experiences with current families, and ensure opportunities for continuous participation in events designed for families by families such as training on family leadership. Strategies include:

Establish a Network of Community Resources

The ECLC Program will build strategic partnerships, utilize community resources, monitor and evaluate policies and practices to stimulate innovation and create learning pathways; establish and maintain partnerships with businesses, faith-based organizations, and community agencies; identify support from various agencies, including mental and physical health providers; partner with local community-based organizations to create family-friendly transition plan for students arriving from early childhood settings; provide and facilitate referrals to family support or educational groups based on family interests and needs; communicate short- and long-term program goals to all stakeholders; and identify partners to provide translators and culturally relevant resources reflective of home language. Strategies include:

Increase Family Participation in Decision-Making

Brenham ISD increases/promotes family participation in decision-making by developing and supporting opportunities related to district and campus goal-setting efforts targeting family engagement;  developing and supporting leadership skills for family members and providing opportunities for families to advocate for their children/families; collaborating with families to develop strategies to solve problems and serve as problem solvers; engaging families in shaping program activities and cultivating the expectation that information must flow in both directions to reflect two-way communication; developing, in collaboration with families, clearly defined goals, outcomes, timelines, and strategies for assessing progress; providing each family with an opportunity to review and provide input on program practices, policies, communications, and events in order to ensure the program is responsive to the needs of families.Strategies include:

Equip Families with Tools to Enhance & Extend Learning

ECLC Program will provide family engagement opportunities that support parenting skills and activities that support ongoing achievement through educational resources to support learning at home while strengthening the family/school partnership; provide families with information and/or training on creating a home learning environment connected to formal learning opportunities; equip families with resources and skills to support their children through the transition to school and offering opportunities for families and children to visit the school in advance of the prekindergarten school year; provide complementary home learning activities for families to engage in at home with children through information presented in newsletters, online technology, social media, parent/family-teacher conferences, or other school- or center-related events;  provide families with information, best practices, and training related to age-appropriate developmental expectations; emphasize benefits of positive family practices such as attachment and nurturing that complement the stages of children's development; collaborate with families to appropriately respond to children's behavior in a non-punitive, positive, and supportive way; encourage families to reflect on family experiences and practices in helping children; and assist families to implement best practices that will help achieve the goals and objectives identified to meet the needs of the child and family. Strategies include:

Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for educators.

ECLC Program will provide essential professional development for educators in understanding communication and engagement with families, including training on communicating with families in crisis; promote and develop family engagement as a core strategy to improve teaching and learning among all educators and staff; and develop staff skills to support and use culturally diverse, culturally relevant, and culturally responsive family engagement strategies. Strategies include:

Evaluate Family Engagement Efforts & Use Evaluation for Continuous Improvement

ECLC will conduct goal-oriented sunshine calls to identify strengths, interests, and needs; develop data collection systems to monitor family engagement and focusing on engagement of families from specific populations to narrow the achievement gap; use data to ensure alignment between family engagement activities and district/school teaching and learning goals and to promote continuous family engagement; ensure an evaluation plan is an initial component that guides action; use a cyclical process to ensure evaluation results are used for continuous improvement and adjustment; and ensure teachers play a role in the family engagement evaluation process.  Strategies include:

Transition:

Conclusion:

In partnership with families, educators, and the community, this Family Engagement Plan reflects our shared commitment to supporting the academic and personal success of every student. Through intentional communication, meaningful collaboration, and a focus on equity and inclusion, we will continue to foster strong home-school connections that empower families to be active participants in their child's education. By working together, we create a supportive environment where all students can thrive. This plan will be reviewed and refined annually to ensure it meets the evolving needs of our students and families.

Policy was updated and agreed on with parents -  PK Family Engagement Plan Meeting - May 20, 2025

BISD Vision:  A Proud Community Inspiring and Encouraging Excellence for ALL

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