The Family Learning Connection

Each year, the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative hosts a conference for parents as well as educators. Title I, Part A funds can be used for parents to attend. Talk to your district about how this can be done to send parents. The 2024 PFE Statewide Conference will be held in Houston, Texas, on October 16-18, 2024.

Hey there, parents! Taking care of our kids is super important. Life can be really busy with school, activities, and growing up. But making sure our kids are healthy and happy is the most important job we have. So, here's a helpful guide to help you be a great parent and help your child grow up well.

Did you know eating enough fruits and veggies is really important? They help keep us healthy. So, make sure your child eats a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Water is important, too. It helps our bodies work well, and it helps us concentrate.

Exercise is another important thing. It's not hard - just playing outside or joining in sports is good for the heart, helps us stay fit, and gives us lots of energy.

After a day full of running around and learning, getting a good night's sleep is super important. It helps our brain work better, keeps us happy, and makes sure we're healthy.

How you feel at home is also really important for how well you do in school. It's important for parents to listen when children want to talk and to make sure they feel safe and loved. If children ever feel really sad or worried, it's okay to ask for help from a grown-up or a teacher.

Lastly, remember that kids look up to their parents. They want to be like us, so it's a good idea to be a good example. Show them how to be healthy, feel good about themselves, and make good choices.

By doing these things, you'll help your child stay healthy and happy. All the good habits they learn now will help them for their whole life. So, remember, small steps today lead to a great future

As the leaves change colors in the fall, it's time to talk about something very important for your child's school journey: talking to your child's teachers. Just like a bridge connects two places, good communication between your home and your child's school helps make learning better. Let's talk about how you can build a strong connection with your child's teachers during the school year.

Instead of waiting for problems to happen, be the one to start the conversation. You can ask questions about homework, what's happening in the classroom, or anything else about your child's education. Taking the first step shows you want to work together with the teachers to help your child learn.

Your child's teacher wants to know your child well. So, tell them about your family, like trips you've taken, health things to know, or other important stuff. This helps teachers understand your child better and support them in the right way.

Today, we can talk to each other in many ways, like emails, newsletters, and school apps. These are all helpful for getting updates about what's going on at school, like homework and important events.

Teachers know a lot about teaching, and you know a lot about your child. By working together, you can set goals and make plans to help your child learn better.

Even small successes are worth celebrating. When you praise your child for doing well, it makes them feel good and want to do even better.

If there are issues or concerns, talk about them in a positive way. Focus on finding solutions and making a plan to help your child do better in school.

When parents and teachers work together, it helps your child succeed in school. Talking and listening to each other creates a strong support system for your child's education. You can help, encourage, and celebrate your child's accomplishments on their journey through school.

Parents, you have a crucial role in your child's education journey, especially when it comes to homework and studying. We're here to give you a helpful guide to understand these areas better and turn them into chances for growth and learning.

Create a regular homework routine in a quiet place without distractions that fits your child's natural schedule. It could be right after school or after a short break. This routine helps your child learn discipline.

Create a regular homework routine in a quiet place without distractions that fits your child's natural schedule. It could be right after school or after a short break. This routine helps your child learn discipline.

Teach your child to ask questions. It's okay to want to know more and understand things better. This helps them think critically.

Remember every child learns in their own way. Be patient when your child faces challenges with their studies and give them the help they need.

Schoolwork is important, but there's more to life. Make sure your child has time for other things like exercise, creative activities, and spending time with family.

Show your child how to manage time well and be curious about learning by doing it yourself. Your child often follows your lead. Try to stay positive about homework. Your enthusiasm can rub off on them and make it feel less like a chore.

Each year, the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative accepts applications from districts and/or schools who are implementing practices that have high parent and family engagement. These practices are chosen on:

• the goal of the practice,
• evidence of better student outcomes, and
• if everyone is involved in the data collection, planning, and the evaluation.

This year, there were many applications, including some that we hope apply again next year once they have evaluated and adjusted the practice. Among the submissions, four schools stood out in every category.

Our first recipient is Klein Forest High School in Klein ISD, with their practice, “Working Together for Our Families: Parent Education Program and Family Engagement Partnering Together.” This practice provides family support for parenting students and their parents/guardians by creating a cohort of specific parenting classes that will enrich, equip, and empower these individuals to build their capacity as parents and provide a community of support.

Our second award goes to Bilingual & ESL Department at Nacogdoches ISD with their practice, “Alianza Conexion Hispana Advisory Committee.” This practice provides students, parents, school staff, and community members an opportunity to be a part of the school district decision-making process, create a safe space where they can have a voice, share their input to improve the quality of our district practices and make a difference in policies and regulation affecting our students. The Alianza Conexión Hispana advisory committee also seeks to bridge the gap between parents, students, community members, and our current school committees.

Our third award goes to Regency Place Elementary in North East ISD for their practice, “Academic Parent-Teacher Teams” also known as “APTT.” This practice is a collaborative model of conferencing that engages families in students learning by aligning grade-level learning concepts, student performance data, and family-teacher communication in a whole group/team setting.

Our final Promising Practices Award goes to St. Anthony Academy in Dallas for their practice, “Parent Preview Night.” This practice is a dinner and program night where the teachers and principal present the coming six weeks curriculum and expectations. If parents are not able to attend personally, they may attend virtually.

We would love to learn about the exemplary practices your school is doing to engage families and the community. For the chance to receive this award at the 2024 PFE Conference, apply by filling out the Google Form on the PFE Initiative website. Each winner is honored at our PFE Conference, given the opportunity to present their award-winning practice at the PFE Conference, and recognized in our Newsletter and on our website.

Center for Strategic & International Studies. (n.d.). Three Billion People Cannot Afford Healthy Diets. What Does This Mean for the Next Green Revolution? Retrieved from Center for Strategic & International Studies.

Singh, M. (n.d.). Some Early Childhood Experiences Shape Adult Life, but Which Ones? Retrieved from NPR Health.

Voice of Play. (n.d.). New Survey from IPEMA and the Voice of Play Reveals Parents' Attitudes on Importance of Play Behavior and Frequency. Retrieved from Voice of Play.

The Family Learning Connection is posted on our website four times a year for parents and educators of Texas. This newsletter is available in Spanish, Vietnamese, German, Tagalog, and Korean as well as other languages via our SMORE account, PFE Texas.

The views expressed are not necessarily those of Region 16 Education Service Center, the Title I, Part A Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative, or the Texas Education Agency. All individual or corporate views are solely those of the individual or corporation.