ISBE Announces Family Engagement Webinar Topics for February & March
The Illinois State Board of Education's Division of Innovation and Improvement has planned a series of 60 minute Family Engagement Webinars as part of a statewide family engagement initiative. Each webinar in the 2012 series will feature practitioners from the 2011 Regional Summits. The practitioners will share their experiences in the successful implementation of evidence-based family engagement strategies in their schools or districts. These sessions are open to district staff, school staff, parent facilitators, and parents. Information on the upcoming session is given below and you may use the registration links included to register for the webinar described.
Improving High School Family Engagement through Social and Emotional Learning
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/253542057
February 23, 2012
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Recent studies have shown that learning improves when schools attend to the social and emotional needs of their students. Parents also need this kind of support and are eager to learn more about how they can connect to and support their kids. New Trier High School's Principal, Dr. Tim Dohrer, will explain how various school structures and initiatives offer support to students, parents, and staff in all four dimensions of schooling: academic, social, emotional, and physical. Their efforts have led to a large school that feels small, high levels of academic excellence, and energetic school community that is engaged and excited. Dr. Dohrer has worked in a variety of roles in education for over 20 years. For many of those years, he was an English and journalism teacher, student advisor, coach, club sponsor, and chair of many school-based committees and initiatives.
How to get Families Engaged in an Early Childhood Setting
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/417583977
March 2, 2012
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We want families involved, but…What do we do? A closer look at increasing Family Engagement at School
You plan a great event – you even ordered pizza, but only 5 families showed up. What went wrong?
Through this webinar, participants will
• Reflect on what they believe about family engagement and how this will impact what types of activities are planned for families.
• Discuss ways to increase your level of family engagement from 25% to over 80% of families participating as well as increase the number of parent volunteer hours at your school.
• Discuss providing targeted intervention strategies families may complete at home that include a "DVD" teaching module.
• Review implementation techniques that target hard to reach families and get all families involved
Participants will have practical ideas and renewed enthusiasm for family engagement within their school.
Parent Involvement in High Poverty Schools
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/661486424
March 22, 2012
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dr. Sandra Lewis will discuss how she has been able to change the culture and climate of the school and community from one that was infiltrated with gangs and low achievement to one that has received many awards for its outstanding school climate, innovative programs, and academic achievement. As a member of the same community for over forty years, and now principal at Harold Washington Elementary for the past 22 years, she has become an icon in the community. Dr. Lewis has formed partnerships all over the city to bring quality programs and projects to her students and families and has been highlighted on radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and other media. She will share how she attends to the social and emotional needs of students and their parents/families, and the unique and effective approaches she's implemented to raise student achievement.
