A woman talks to a classroom full of people

Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School hosted an English learner family night to help parents understand the English learner program at the school and ways they can support their children in school. Photo provided by Maggie Osborne

Located in the Jessamine County school district, Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School (RDES) serves more than 550 students in grades 1-5. As a Title I school, RDES is proud of its diverse population and is committed to meeting the needs of students from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds.

Building strong partnerships with families has always been a priority at RDES. We strive to communicate in thoughtful and accessible ways while creating a school environment where everyone feels respected and supported. Recognizing that there’s always room to grow, our team began exploring new ways to deepen our efforts to engage all families in their students’ education. That’s when we discovered the tools and guidance offered by the Prichard Committee. After utilizing many of the tools from the playbook, we decided to pursue Family Friendly Schools certification. We saw this certification process and self-evaluation as a valuable way to reflect on current practices and identify opportunities for improvement, while building our staff’s capacity to support family engagement in more intentional and impactful ways.

To launch this work, we formed a leadership team representing various roles within our school community. Our group includes two administrators, two general education teachers, a special education teacher, two parents, and our Family Resource Coordinator (FRC). This diverse team allowed us to approach the process through multiple lenses – from classroom teaching and administrative leadership to parent advocacy and community-based support.

Our team began the application process by completing an online training series, which covered key principles of family-school collaboration. The training was made up of short modules that were easy to navigate and could be completed independently. After the training was completed, each team member used the self-assessment to evaluate the school’s current practices. We came together to review our scores and had honest conversations about what we do well and where we can grow.

We then presented the self-assessment analysis to our broader staff and introduced the purpose and goals of the certification. We explained the process and asked for their help in collecting documentation and evidence. Using shared online folders and Google Docs, we organized materials and evidence related to the application’s objectives. Staff were encouraged to contribute to the process by submitting artifacts, sharing stories, or adding links to existing work that aligned with our goals. Using this evidence, our team then developed narratives that reflected both our current strengths and the work still ahead.

In pursuing this certification, we’ve strengthened our understanding of effective family engagement and laid the groundwork for continued growth. The process not only affirmed the commitment already present within our school but also pushed us to think more deeply and strategically about how we welcome, include and collaborate with families as partners in our students’ success. To ensure our commitment to growth, we will continue to work collaboratively to incorporate next steps into our school’s Action Plan for the upcoming school year.

In a world that often feels increasingly divided, we believe it is our responsibility to foster a school environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and behaviorally. At RDES, we know that meaningful family and community partnerships are essential to that goal. We are committed to deepening this work by continuing to utilize the resources and tools provided by the Prichard Committee to guide our efforts, reflect on our practices, and strengthen our connections with families. These supports will remain an integral part of our growth as we build on what we’ve started and strive to become an even more inclusive, welcoming, and family-centered school.

Maggie Osborne is the assistant principal and curriculum resource administrator at Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School.

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.

For more details on the Family Friendly Schools Certification, visit the Prichard Committee’s Family Engagement website.