francis marion university - school of education

fmu center of excellence

goals and activities: goal 3 - activity 1

activity 1: school-parent-community (spc) liaison & national network of
partnership schools project

parent partnership trainings

national network of partnership schools project announcement

francis marion university center of excellence
po box 100547
florence, south carolina 29501-0547

july 13, 2005

we all dream of schools where children run through the doors with smiles on their faces everyday, where parents feel welcome and included, where community organizations beg for the chance to help out with either donations or volunteer services. however, most of our schools fall short in one, two, or maybe all of these categories. but, we can make these dreams reality. administrators will delight in better pact and sat scores, teachers will be energized and creative instead of overworked and exhausted, parents will eagerly attend workshops and volunteer for school improvement councils, and children will be disappointed when the weekends arrive because they can’t go to school. does it sound too good to be true? well, maybe a little. but together with the francis marion university center of excellence to prepare teachers of children of poverty, partner districts can work to make schools a warmer place for parents and children and, in the process, create the partnerships that will lead to greater student success.

this year, the francis marion university center of excellence is offering the opportunity for partner districts to join the national network of partnership schools. the national network was established by researchers at johns hopkins university in 1996. the network brings together schools, districts, and states that are committed to developing and maintaining strong programs of school, family, and community partnerships. each partnership school strengthens its program by addressing six types of involvement and by using an action team approach (addressed in nclb law).

the goal of the national network is to create “family-like” schools. as defined by dr. joyce epstein, director and founder of the national network of partnership schools, the “family-like” school recognizes each child’s individuality and makes each child feel special and included. “family-like” schools welcome and encourage all families, not just those that are easy to reach. families are vital to a child’s academic success as they reinforce the importance of school, homework, activities, and feelings of success in the home.

in order to achieve the goal of a “family-like” school, administrators, teachers, parents and community organizations have to work together… and it is work. all must make efforts to include one another and that can be difficult. lucky for us, the national network of partnership schools has made our job easier. after years of intense study, a framework for family, school and community partnerships has been developed. the francis marion university center of excellence would like to invite you to be a part of this worthwhile venture.

the center of excellence will pay the fee for three schools of your choosing to participate in the national network. if you would like more than three schools to participate, you will be responsible for the $100 per school additional fees. the center of excellence will also provide a staff member to conduct the organization’s school, family and community partnerships. this staff member will organize training, serve as the technical assistance person for all participating schools, and will complete an annual update survey for each school.

choose as many schools as you see fit to begin this program. the schools must be committed to strengthening school, family and community partnerships. each school must create an action team (which can be part or all of the school improvement council) to plan, implement, evaluate, and continually improve family and community involvement. the action team must consist of teachers, parents, an administrator, community members, and other school staff. a modest budget is also needed for the activities planned each year.

as we work together to create stronger schools and communities, our children will soar to new heights.

sincerely,

erin elko
family, school, and community interim liaison
francis marion university
center of excellence to prepare teachers of children of poverty