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Family Engagement Plan

Hall STEM Academy Family Engagement Plan 2024–2025

Principal: Sherrill Lindsey
Family & Community Liaison: Sarah Wicklund
Phone: (612) 842-8815
Email: sarah.wicklund@mpls.k12.mn.us

This plan was developed in partnership with families and approved on: September 18, 2024.

Our Mission & Vision

Mission:
At Hall STEM Academy, all learners acquire knowledge through project-based learning and apply dynamic practices in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our students grow the self-confidence to advocate for their learning, express their ideas, and become constructive contributors to their communities.

Vision:
We seek to empower compassionate and creative agency in our community of innovators through student-directed, real-world learning to impact a future that does not yet exist in our changing world.

Family & Community Voice and Engagement

We believe that family and community voices are critical to our school’s success. We gather these voices through strong relationships, ongoing conversations, and stakeholder surveys.

Primary areas of concern families have shared with us:

  • Community incidents affecting school safety

  • Unreliable transportation

  • Chronic absenteeism and tardiness

  • Insufficient funding

Hopes and aspirations shared by our families:

  • Creating a safe environment both inside and outside the school building, on school grounds and playgrounds, and on routes to school and bus stops

  • Expanding student learning opportunities in and with the broader community

Family Engagement Strategies

1. Welcoming All Families

Our goal is for every family to feel welcomed and have equal access to school involvement.

Community-Building & Cultural Events:

  • Back-to-School Open House

  • Newcomer Family Night

  • Frosty Crafty Night

  • American Indian Family Involvement Celebration

  • National African American Family Appreciation Day

  • STEM-a-Palooza

  • Hall Star Track & Field Day

  • Rising Up Celebrations (Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 5)

How We Communicate:

  • One-to-one connections: in-person conversations, texts, phone calls, emails

  • School flyers

  • Social media

  • SchoolMessenger

  • Talking Points app

Accessibility:

  • No-cost events

  • Communication provided in four languages

2. Keeping Families Informed about Student Success & Equity

We host an annual State of the School (Title I) Meeting (date to be scheduled) to share our progress and plans.

Throughout the year, we will inform families of the steps we are taking to improve student outcomes and achieve equity through:

  • Newsletters

  • Family conferences

  • School website updates

  • Site Council meetings

3. Valuing Family Voice in School Planning

We invite families to play an active role in shaping our plans and resources.

Family input opportunities:

  • School Improvement Plan (dates to be scheduled)

  • Family Engagement Plan (dates to be scheduled)

  • Resource allocation and priorities for student achievement and family engagement (dates to be scheduled)

Regular Site Council Meetings:

  • Wednesdays: August 21, September 19, October 23, November 20, January 29, March 26, April 23, May 28

4. Clarifying Shared Roles for Student Success

Families, staff, and students all play important roles in fostering academic success.

School-Family Compact:

  • Family input gathered in upcoming Site Council sessions

  • Final compact will be shared during Back-to-School Open House, family-teacher conferences, and digitally

5. Helping Families Support Academic Achievement

We will host events where families can learn about:

  • Our curriculum

  • State standards

  • Student assessments

  • How we measure achievement and success

Academically-Focused Events:

  • To be scheduled — to include family curriculum nights, literacy & math workshops, and STEM showcases

Additional Supports:

  • Curriculum guides

  • Online resources

  • Individual conferences with teachers

6. Building Staff Capacity for Family Partnerships

Our staff will engage in professional development this year on how to partner effectively with families, including:

  • Building culturally responsive relationships

  • Effective communication strategies

  • Supporting family engagement in learning

  • Equity-focused practices in family partnerships

Together, we can help every student at Hall STEM Academy shine bright!