Did you know that reading with your child for at least 20 minutes a day increases their daily academic performance? Or that family conversations over dinner build relationships and also language skills? These are questions we like to ask families during our monthly Community Nights we have at each of our four partner schools. Every Community Night we host is created with intention. At the start of this school year, we added some new elements to make our families feel at home.
As always, Community Nights begin with a family dinner. Attendees enjoyed a family-style serving off the menu, giving them the chance to play our Rose, Bud, Thorn table games. At the table, families discussed the best and no-so-great parts of their days with one another. They were engrossed with each other as they learned about each other’s day.
The Workshops
In our workshops, parents had a fun time practicing read-aloud strategies to bring stories to life. The books we used were I Want My Hat Back (grades Pre-K-3) and Holes (grades 4-8). Highlights from the workshops included some very convincing “angry” voices and hilarious snake, bear, and frog sound effects! For our parents with students in grades 4-8, we discussed strategies for using free audio books from apps like Libby, which help enhance reading skills and encourages family togetherness. After the workshops, we inaugurated our first-ever Families Reading Together session! Together as a community, parents read to their children using their vocal techniques. Scholars loved the time to connect and enjoy stories together.
The Community
This is how to build community through family engagement: it takes intention, it takes small yet impactful changes, and it takes the willingness to make others feel good. As the school year continues, we cannot wait to further build with all the communities within our schools.
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