My name is Emily Allen, and I have the honor of serving as the principal of Shacklette and Hazelwood Early Childhood Centers in Jefferson County Public Schools. In my role, I have always believed that families are a child’s first and most important teachers, and that strong school-family partnerships create the foundation for student success. When the opportunity arose to participate in the Family Friendly Schools initiative, it felt like a natural extension of the work we were already committed to doing; building connections, listening to families, and ensuring they feel welcomed and valued every day. Our district chose to pursue certification because we recognize how strongly family engagement influences learning, especially in early childhood. Through the process, we took time to pause, reflect, and take a more intentional look at the systems and practices we had in place. We wanted to be certain that our work aligned with our belief that families deserve clarity, consistency, and partnership.

A woman sits with a child in a classroom and helps him read a book

An educator at Shacklette and Hazelwood Early Childhood Centers (Jefferson County) helps a student with literacy. Photo courtesy Emily Allen

My work as an educator has been rooted in relationship building and open communication, values that naturally guide early childhood education. The framework for Family Friendly Certification aligned closely with existing beliefs of our programs. The certification gave us a shared language and a structure that helped us reflect on practices we were already prioritizing and identify places where we could strengthen our consistency. It also pushed us to think about family engagement not just through events or communication, but through daily interactions, how families feel when they walk through our doors, how their questions are handled, and how included they feel in their child’s learning. We began by gathering input from families and staff. This step helped us identify both strengths and growth areas. We examined our communication systems, the accessibility of our building, how we welcomed families during daily routines, and the ways we invited families into meaningful decision-making. We also reflected on how we support families during transitions and how we connect them to resources that may benefit them outside of school. From this reflection, we created a focused plan. We strengthened our communication practices so families could expect consistency across classrooms.  We also evaluated our family events to ensure they were inclusive, purposeful, and designed to meet the needs of our diverse community. This process encouraged us to be more intentional and equitable, ensuring that every family had access and voice.

Our goal moving forward is that family friendly practices to be part of our school identity, not an initiative that lasts for a year, but a sustained culture of partnership. We have seen increased participation, stronger communication, and a growing sense of trust between families and school staff. Our schools feel more connected, warm, and unified. I am grateful to lead this work and deeply honored by the trust our families place in us each day.

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.