Parents and families are the first and most important educators in every child’s life. Research on student academic growth and achievement, post secondary college and career success, and long term safety and wellbeing all point in the same direction: the first and most important educators of children are their parents and families. Children who understand their families’ values, hope, and dreams – who understand their families’ expectations and priorities – are better protected from risky behaviors that can undermine their wellbeing and academic success. Parents and families who are involved with their children’s academic growth and achievement (supporting consistent and on time attendance, building relationships with teachers, learning together at home, staying connected to classroom activities) strengthen student academic success. 

This means it is essential that schools and educators partner with and collaborate with parents and families in support of students’ academic success and wellbeing. We work as a team. Our strategic plan highlights the critical nature of these partnerships; in strategic priority #4 Student-Centered Partnerships, our goal is to strengthen collaborative relationships between staff, schools, and families; center family voice, and foster collective responsibility to work together in the best interest of students. 

Each year we dedicate two full school days to parent-teacher conferences. Every school schedules conferences differently but last week Roaring Fork Schools hosted thousands of critical conversations between parents, families, teachers and often students (!) across our schools. In many cases, teachers and school staff worked long hours so families could attend conferences in the evenings. In other cases, families took time off work to prioritize these critical conversations. Through every single meeting, we communicate to students that their families and schools are aligned, are collaborating, and have high expectations for students. 

This year Roaring Fork Schools is launching a Family Partnership Toolkit for Staff designed by leaders in the RFSD Family Resource Center – experts on school-family-student partnerships. This toolkit pulls together best practices for educators, school leaders, front offices, and support staff to make sure families feel welcome, connected, supported, and aligned with school-based efforts – and to make sure educators and school staff feel they have the time, opportunities, and communication channels to build relationships with families and understand families’ hopes and dreams for their children. We are developing professional development for the Toolkit this year. 

We continue to support and learn from family partnerships facilitated by community partners. The Valley Settlement Parent Mentor program has recruited, trained, and supported hundreds of Latina/o parents to volunteer their time in elementary schools as classroom assistant teachers since its inception. Parent mentors strengthen the connection between Latina/o families and the schools and create a more welcoming environment for all. 

Parents and families also support schools directly through parent-teacher organizations, School Accountability Committees, and event-based volunteerism. Parents manage athletic booster clubs, support fundraising activities, help run dances and graduation events, and volunteer in classroom activities. 

At the district level, families serve on the Family Advisory Council and District Wellness Committees to learn about district programs and challenges families have prioritized. A smaller group of families commit to the year-long Equity Advisory Council that supports development of district policy and regulations. An even smaller group of family and community members serve 2-year terms on the District Accountability Committee, a team that advises the Board of Education on budgets, district improvement plans, and educator evaluation efforts.

Families also share feedback with schools and the district through annual surveys and evaluations. These tools help us hear concerns and monitor parent perception and engagement trends over time.

This week and next, families and community members will support students by voting in the November election. With a number of education-related initiatives and Board of Education seats on the ballot, these are also opportunities for Roaring Fork Schools to listen and learn from our community in support of student growth, achievement, and wellbeing.

From one-on-one conferences between teachers and families, to critical community partnerships, and community-wide ballot initiatives, the Roaring Fork Schools continually partners with and listens to families. We continue to learn and grow from these collaborations. Family partnerships are an essential part of our strategic plan; student academic growth, achievement, and wellbeing relies upon us showing up together to support our kids. 

Dr. Anna Cole is superintendent of the Roaring Fork District Schools in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Basalt.