The Three Rivers Independent School District (TRISD) believes that all parents, teachers, and community leaders are a “valuable link” in the educational success of all students. We promote the involvement of these key stakeholders by having them take part in the process that allows them to contribute by providing input to the efforts of providing services that maximizes the quality of education for students in TRISD. We have established a family engagement plan to increase the collaboration between all stakeholders. The active participation of parents, teachers, business and community leaders in all aspects of students’ education is a valuable tool that is welcomed and respected at all times.
Components TRISD’s Strategic Plan
Facilitate family-to-family support The TRISD plan will include a family liaison (school counselor) and school administration to assist with the campus-family relationship, and provide parents with opportunities to participate in district and campus initiatives, such as:
- PTO
- Read aloud Program
- Evening hands-on activities
- Goal-oriented home visits to identify strengths, interests, and need
- Health Fair
- Discipline/Behavior Management System
- Provide information about the existing parent-to-parent organizations, family peer network and/or parent-initiated school-community efforts in order to continue to be leaders/advocates in the community and in their children’s campus
Establish a network of community resources TRISD in partnership with Community and Faith-Based organizations will establish resources that provide services to the students, in an effort to equip parents and caregivers in identifying and appreciating the developmental growth of their child. Some of the resources will be:
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Three Rivers
- Be A Champion
Increase family participation in decision making
TRISD encourages family participation in decision making. Their contributions are crucial to a well-rounded and well thought out plan that will facilitate support for all stakeholders and impact positive student achievement. Parents will be invited to participate and serve in such capacities as:
- Campus and District wide Site-Based Decision Making Committees (SBDM)
- Regularly scheduled district and campus-level meetings
- Invite family feedback on activities
Equip families with tools to enhance and extend learning
TRISD will equip families with learning opportunities to enhance and extend learning by providing parents with monthly calendars with at home activities that are age and developmentally appropriate for the children and activities, such as:
- Campus Literacy Events
- Book Fairs
- Learning Workshops
Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for educators on culturally responsive, evidence-based strategies that support the education of the child; and
TRISD’s goal is to bring awareness of the Parental Involvement Program, ESSA/Federal requirements and guidelines with emphasis on the value and impact of parent’s contribution to school. Some methods may include:
- Staff development offered at administrator, faculty, and department meetings
- Develop staff skills to support families to meet their learning goals
- Support parent-child relationships in a way that values the culture and language of families and
- recognize how different cultures may influence family development
- Develop effective communication strategies
- Provide families with training in parent leadership and support
Evaluate family engagement efforts and use evaluations for continuous improvement
Trainings, workshops, meetings, and parental involvement activities are followed with an evaluation which provides parents the opportunity to express their views on the value of the activity. For example:
- Use parent input to provide valuable information in the planning, development and
- implementation of programs for the district
- Compile evaluation data and use it to plan and implement a more effective Parental Involvement