One of the Neighborhood Pop-Ups at Millcreek Elementary. Photo courtesy Jodi Johnson
As the proud principal of Millcreek Elementary (Fayette County), I’m thrilled to share our school’s journey in earning the Family Friendly Certificate from the Prichard Committee. This recognition isn’t just a plaque on our wall; it’s a testament to our deeply held belief that families and community are the heart and soul of Millcreek Elementary.
Why Family-Friendly? It’s in Our DNA
Our commitment to family engagement isn’t a new initiative; it’s intrinsically woven into the fabric of who we are. We work closely with businesses, local churches, and, most importantly, our families to achieve our overarching goal: all students meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations. We want our students to become lifelong learners who positively contribute to their own communities, and what better way to model that than by demonstrating authentic collaboration?
Our community and families consistently support our school and teachers, so it was paramount for us that they felt the tangible impact of our intention to openly collaborate. Applying for the Family Friendly certification provided our staff with a robust rubric, allowing us to apply systems thinking to something that already came very naturally to our school. This process wasn’t about reinventing the wheel but rather refining our existing practices to ensure we were serving our families in the most effective ways possible. My personal journey in this work was further deepened through a professional learning series with the National Center for Families Learning (NCFL), focusing on effective strategies for partnering with families for student success. This action-learning approach significantly expanded my knowledge and equipped me to work alongside our staff and families to lead this vital work at Millcreek.
Discovering the Path: A Serendipitous Connection
While our staff at Millcreek Elementary has always believed that our families are the key to student success, we weren’t initially aware of the specific Family Friendly Certification. Our discovery came at the 2024 Prichard Committee Groundswell Summit in Owensboro. We attended the Summit as a grant recipient of the Prichard Committee KY Community Schools Initiative (KYCSI). Millcreek Elementary was one of only 40 schools in Kentucky to be awarded this grant, designed to provide comprehensive family supports in areas like integrated student supports, expanded learning time and opportunities, family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership. The summit opened our eyes to a formal recognition that aligned perfectly with our existing philosophy.
The Certification Process: A Seamless Fit
For us, the certification process was surprisingly easy and intuitive. This wasn’t because we had to overhaul our operations, but precisely the opposite: we were already a family-focused school deeply committed to the belief that our families are our biggest asset in relation to student success. The certification process primarily entailed compiling what we were already doing for our families into a cohesive narrative, supported by pictures and words that eloquently told our story of partnership and collaboration.
While the core of our practices aligned, we did identify one area for enhancement: our outdoor signage. We noticed the absence of a truly welcoming sign at our front entrance. To address this, we promptly ordered and installed a new multilingual sign that now greets families with the message: “Welcome to Millcreek Elementary, home of Leaders and Lions! Please ring the bell, and we will be happy to help you.” This small change made a significant difference in creating an immediate sense of welcome for all who approach our school.
Sustaining the Commitment: Ongoing Collaboration and Innovation
Our mission at Millcreek Elementary is very clear: to ensure our students achieve or exceed grade-level expectations. We recognize that our students are multi-faceted individuals who come ready to learn but also bring with them their unique stories and experiences. To keep our family-friendly work alive and thriving, we will continue to ask a crucial question whenever we gather to make decisions about our students and our school: “Who is not represented at this table?” Our families know their children best, and when we form strong partnerships and commit to working alongside them, our students will always win.
We are dedicated to expanding programs that we know are making a tangible difference. Two standout examples are our Tuesday Talks and Neighborhood Pop-Ups. The Tuesday Talks program was the brilliant brainchild of our Family Resource and Youth Services Coordinator (FRYSC), Ms. Joanie and Ms. Dawn Webb, a community partner from one of our local churches. The most impactful aspect of Tuesday Talks is that it is solely parent-led. We simply provide the date, space, and some breakfast snacks, and parents gather to discuss whatever is on their minds. This program grew organically from just a few families in its initial meetings to nearly thirty families by the end of the first year, demonstrating the power of parent-driven initiatives.
Our Neighborhood Pop-Ups have also received overwhelmingly positive feedback. With this program, we intentionally schedule time to venture out into our students’ communities with games, food, and fellowship. It’s truly amazing what we learn when we take the time to listen to our families and follow their lead. These programs are not just events; they are vital arteries of communication and connection that keep our school deeply embedded in the lives of our families.
The Transformative Impact of Being Family Friendly
Earning the distinction of being a Family Friendly school has instilled a feeling of immense pride among our staff, students, and families. It serves as powerful validation that we are on the right track in how we approach our students’ education. This certification reinforces our belief that when we prioritize and deeply engage with families, we create an educational environment where every student has the best possible chance to succeed. It’s a continuous journey, and we are committed to ensuring Millcreek Elementary remains a place where families feel valued, heard, and truly part of their child’s educational success.
Jodi Johnson is the principal of Millcreek Elementary.
The Family Friendly Schools Certification is awarded by the Prichard Committee after applications are reviewed and scored by a working group of families, educators and community organizations. The group is focused on increasing open communication, learning opportunities and shared decision-making power across the Kentucky education system.
The next certification window is open now and will close on Oct. 1. For more details on the Family Friendly Schools Certification, visit the Prichard Committee’s Family Engagement website.
While schools can be intentionally in partnership with families, there is also work at the district level to support deep and meaningful family partnerships. With this in mind, the Prichard Committee is partnering with 5 districts across the state to pilot a Family Friendly District process. Look for the statewide release of these materials in November 2025.
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