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2 Presenters Dr. Nikitoula Menounos  Principal Norwich Technical High School  Sandi Casberg CTHSS District Coordinator for Family Engagement  Jill Dymczyk CTHSS District Coordinator for Family Engagement 

3 About the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS)The CTHSS is the largest high school system in Connecticut, serving all geographic regions and all demographic and diverse populations. We currently operate 17 diploma-granting technical high schools and one Technical Education Center.

4 About the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS)The system serves approximately 11,200 full-time high school students. We offer a comprehensive high school and Career Technical Education (CTE) curriculum in 31 occupational careers within 11 national career clusters. CTHSS CTE programs are aligned to the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDTEC’s) Common Career Technical Clusters

5 Schools and Locations by Region

6 How CTHSS is different: Dual ProgrammingCTHSS requires students to meet the same comprehensive academic competencies demanded of all CT students in order to earn a high school diploma. Every CTHSS student must simultaneously complete a CTE course of study in order to earn CTE endorsements and portable stackable industry credentials upon graduation.

7 About Dual ProgrammingAcademic and Career Technology curriculum is provided to CTHSS students in 182 days: 91 days Academic 91 days Career Technology Students alternate between academic and CTE classes every two weeks

8 Why – Family Engagement?Research says…. “High school’s communications with families are associated with higher levels of student’s reading achievement.” (Parcel & Duffer, 2001) “After controlling for prior levels of achievement, students scored higher on reading achievement tests and/or earned higher grades in English if their parents had discussions with them about school and about their future plans, checked their homework, and maintained high educational expectations.” (Desimone, 1999; Ho & Williams,1996; Lee & Croninger, 1994; Simon, 2004) “Higher parental expectations for their children predicted higher math achievement.” (Hong & Ho, 2005)

9 Parents vary in how much they presently are involved. What do we know from U.S. and International Studies of Family and Community Involvement? Parents vary in how much they presently are involved. Parents are concerned about their children’s success in school. Students need multiple sources of support to succeed in school and in life. Schools must reach out in order to involve all families. "School, Family and Community Partnerships, Third Edition, by J. L. Epstein et al by Corwin Press.

10 What do we know from U.S. and International Studies of Family and Community Involvement?Teachers and administrators in schools and districts need in-service, pre-service, and advanced education on partnerships. Partnership programs are most effective if they are research-based, customized for each community, evaluated, and continually improved to help meet important goals for students.

11 Keys to Successful Partnerships: 6 types of involvementParenting Type 4 Learning at Home Type 2 Communication Type 5 Decision Making Type 3 Volunteering Type 6 Collaborating with the community

12 Keys to Successful Partnerships: 6 types of involvement – OutcomesType 1 – Parenting Students improve when families are provided information on child development and school expectations at each grade level (e.g., to support student health, behavior, attendance). Type 2 – Communicating Students Increase awareness of their own progress in subjects and skills when teachers, students, and parents communicate about classwork. Type 3 – Volunteering Students gain academic skills that are tutored or taught by volunteers. Type 4 – Learning at Home Students complete more homework in specific subjects when teachers guide parents in how to interact on assignments. Type 5 – Decision Making Students benefit from policies and projects conducted and supported by parent organizations and partnership teams. Type 6 – Collaborating with the Community Students gain skills and talents in curricular, extra-curricular and afterschool projects with community partners.

13 CTHSS Family Engagement: How we got started.American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 –funding Established home office team and conducted a needs assessment of all 17 schools Used ARRA and operational funds to establish family engagement centers in each school Developed early programming and provided professional development

14 CTHSS Family Engagement: How we got started.District invested in membership with the National Network of Partnership Schools, Johns Hopkins University –District level– all 17 schools. Developed Family Engagement Mission and Vision statement Strong support from top administration and Central Office staff

15 CTHSS District-wide – Family EngagementVision Statement To strengthen partnerships throughout the CTHSS to promote student success

16 Mission Statement CTHSS District-wide – Family EngagementTo support school level teams in creating an environment where students and their families, staff and community members are welcomed and honored as partners to promote the healthy wellbeing and achievement of all CTHSS students.

17 CTHSS Family Engagement – Support & ResourcesFamily Engagement Centers programming in 17 schools. Professional development to building Family Engagement Teams. School compacts and action plans linked to school goals. Regular school site visits, refresher training and technical assistance. Evaluation rubric-schools ranked by need of assistance.

18 CTHSS Family Engagement – Support & ResourcesEncourage teachers to involve parents in school work (TIPS-Teachers Involve Parents in School) Require Family Engagement district/school websites. Provide a back-to-school Family Engagement Program check-list. Distribute newsletters for staff and parents. Develop resources and funding for activities. Hold regional Family Engagement cluster meetings.

19 District Awards The CTHSS has received a Partnership District Award by the National Network of Partnership at John’s Hopkins University Schools for the past five years.

20 Family CTHSS District Team 2016NNPS District Award 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Family

21 How welcoming are you and your classroom?

22 Do you have a  welcome sign displayed near the entrance to your classroom in more than one language?

23 How are visitors greeted upon entering your school?

24 What are the expectations for teachers to contact families?

25 How do you or your staff contact your student’s families?

26 How is your or your teachers’ classroom(s) inviting to families?

27 Why is it important for students to see that you and your staff regularly acknowledge other staff and students with a smile, a nod or a hello?

28 School-wide Practices and PoliciesInformation packets are given to all new families when they enter the building. Teachers call each student’s family early in the school year to report something positive. There is a system in place to communicate with non-custodial parents. Provide informal/social occasions when parents and staff can get to know each other during the year. Special attention is given to pronouncing parents’ names correctly.

29 Physical Environment There are clear directions from all entrances to the main office. A welcome sign is displayed near the entrance in more than one language. Your conference room is inviting and non threatening (student work on display, artwork on walls, materials to read, plants) There is a school directory of staff and their room numbers near the front door. A school map is posted in the hallway.

30 Public Relations The office staff greets visitors quickly, with a smile, in a friendly, courteous way. Staff members in the hallway acknowledge each other with a smile, a nod or a hello. Staff addresses inappropriate language or behavior on a regular basis. Confidential information is not addressed in a public area where others can hear. Staff gives prompt attention to all calls and messages.

31 Written Materials Printed materials are free of educational jargon.New students and their families are officially welcomed by the school in publications. Student work is highlighted in all publications. Materials are printed in more than one language. The school’s educational and extra curricular programs are clearly explained.

32 Norwich Technical High School: A School of Distinction

33 ACTIVITY #1

34 Norwich Technical High School: A School of DistinctionNorwich Technical High School is located in Southeastern Connecticut. There are approximately 700 students attending from 28 sending towns

35 Norwich Tech OfferingsAcademic courses: Our academic program is competitive and comprehensive 12 Career Technical Education Programs within 4 National Career Clusters in grades 9-12. We have a full-service restaurant open to the public, a full-service hair salon “Sensations Salon” and “The Emporium Gift Shop”.

36 Norwich Tech OfferingsElectives: Academic and Fine arts (Music/Art) Work-Based Learning: Juniors and Seniors can earn credit while working during the school day in their career technology Extra Curricular Activities: Athletics, Clubs and SKILLS/USA, DECA.

37 Where Norwich Tech Students Come From

38 Norwich Technical High School: A School of DistinctionNational and state recognition for excellence: #1 in reading within the CTHSS; Professional Development Plan; Aligned to the District Strategic Action Plan; and CT History Day Video Competition Champions.

39 Norwich Tech’s National Awards & RecognitionNational Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) Partnership School Award Recipient – 2014

40 Norwich Tech’s National Awards & RecognitionAlso recognized by the National Network of Partnerships Schools for high school “Best Practices” that were published in the NNPS Promising Practices publication. – 2013 “Life Happens” 2014 “Community Career and Resource Fair” 2015 “Healthy Alternatives on the Go”

41 Norwich Tech – Family Engagement EventsBring Your Parent To School Day Pi Day – Join the Math Department to learn about the program and enjoy a piece of pie. Healthy Alternatives on the GO! – An opportunity for parents to visit the school to learn how to cook healthy meals and gain a better understanding of food labels. Heroin Forum – Shine a Light on Heroin.

42 Partnership. Sharing. Family. Collaboration. Involved.

43 Norwich Tech – Family Engagement EventsPrincipals Breakfast/Meet and Greet – Helping your child with learning strategies for success. Breakfast honoring Exemplary Portfolio Students who have met, through their Technology Capstone Project, a professional standard of excellence Veteran’s Coffee Social – Honoring family member of a Norwich Tech student that has served in the military

44 Norwich Tech – Family Engagement Events OverviewEvents Total 18 Reached 640 parents/members Events Total 39 Reached 3,046 parents/members Parents/ members reached 79% increase

45 ACTIVITY #2

46 “At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents.” – Jane D. Hull

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