Community Nights

Turning the Page believes that families are D.C. public schools' most important community resource. Education research consistently shows a direct link between family involvement and high student achievement. For that reason, Turning the Page helps schools build connections with families and gives families the tools and resources to become more actively involved in their children's education.

Turning the Page developed and implements a school-based parent involvement initiative called "Community Nights." Community Nights are fun and interactive evenings that include parent workshops, child mentoring, book giveaways, and a family dinner.

Community Nights help schools make stronger connections with their students' families and support parents as their children's most important teachers. Parents become stronger educators of their children at home and advocates for their children in school.

Turning the Page holds at least eight Community Nights in each of our partner schools during the school year. Community Nights take place Tuesday - Thursday evenings, between 6 and 8pm. 

Click here for our Fall 2009 Community Night Schedule.

Community Night Features

Parent workshops: Workshops provide parents with a comfortable environment to learn many new skills and receive resources they can immediately use in the home and at school on behalf of their children. Through discussions led by professional facilitators and TTP staff, parents receive advice and share their experiences in workshops that highlight the vital role parents play in their children's academic success. Parents most value the opportunities to network with and learn from other parents; opportunities that parents in our program often did not have prior to participating in TTP's Community Nights programs. Parents, by their presence and participation are helping to build the foundations of a strong school community. All workshops are based in children's literature and feature interactive, hands-on activities.

Child mentoring: While parents attend workshops, Turning the Page volunteers read and do educational activities with the children. George Washington University DC Reads, TTP Georgetown, Howard University DC Reads and American University DC Reads all play an integral role in the success of this program.

Book giveaways: At the end of the mentoring sessions, each child selects a book, purchased through Reading Is Fundamental to take home. Parents keep the books used in their workshops for their home libraries. By the end of the Community Nights series, families receive more than 30 books.

Family dinner: Parents, children, teachers and volunteers receive a free, healthy dinner at each Community Night to begin the evening. Food is provided by Turning the Page and prepared by "parent captains."