The saying “It takes a village” truly captures the essence of what family engagement in education requires.  

In my case, growing up in Puerto Rico, it was more than my parents, siblings, and grandparents.  My village included godparents, neighbors, and friends, all of whom played an active role in my education and formation.

Today, inspired by my family’s growth and the next generation, I am actively involved in the development of my nephews and nieces – and their children.  So far, I have three great-nephews and one great-niece.  Their education and future are also my responsibility.  

Who could possibly resist helping this darling, though!  This is Betty Paugh, my great-niece and namesake.  

As many of you know, family engagement is often not easy.  It takes time, patience, and creativity.  And that was true pre-Coronavirus.  What do we do in this new changed reality?

For the Region One GEAR UP team, which operates two grants in 29 districts serving 55 middle schools in the Deep South Valley of Texas, this initial period is about brainstorming and gathering data to understand what supports are most urgently needed by their students and families.  

The California State University – Fullerton GEAR UP grant also engaged their team to identify needs.  For example, before COVID-19, Natalie González, Family Engagement Coordinator for their grant said they would provide families with information once a month during family workshops or family nights, but they now send information on a weekly basis.

Patra Cooks, GEAR UP Director of Hillsborough County summarized it best, “As life hands us lemons, our GEAR UP team is making lemonade!”

Unpacking the Reality

With most schools across the country entering week #2 of closures, most of you have been setting up systems to telework and have been doing what Region One and Fullerton GEAR UP have been: compiling information and determining the most pressing needs of those you serve. 

Ricardo Lee Lopez, Jr.‍ , Education Specialist from Region One, shared that this process has entailed understanding the degree of food insecurity that the families served by their program are facing today.  It has also entailed understanding these families’ SEL needs.  As Evelyn Soqui‍ , Assistant Director, CSUF GEAR UP, put it, their priority is “continuing to work collaboratively with partner districts to ensure that our students’ humanitarian needs are met first.”

Each community is different.  I encourage you to take the time to unpack the reality of the families your program serves.  Revisit your list of programs, organizations, and agencies that offer services to local families. Do you or a group you partner with have a listing that could help your families? Remember to seek resources and information on topics such as food locators, unemployment, and/or clinics serving the uninsured.

The Role of Technology

Family engagement builds on families’ strengths and culture and creates equity.  But what does equity look like when we must rely on technology to communicate with families?  Do all the families you serve have access to technology?  If so, which medium would be most effective for which strategy?  

I assume you have already collected the data and know what medium(s) best suit your families.  If you need a refresher, check out the attached booklet designed by Chicago GEAR UP (refer to page 7-9). 

Many of you have already launched webinars and social media campaigns.  Fullerton GEAR UP is identifying challenges that families may be confronting to offer academic support while their students are doing online instruction. They are developing a database of online instruction resources and designing Parent/Guardian virtual academic social groups. 

We all understand that, in this new reality, technology plays an invaluable role.  Knowing your families and students’ needs, level of access, and preference will help you engage for the long run.  We would love to hear about your strategies – including how you plan to reach those families without access to Internet.

Why Play Soloist When You Have a Band?

For over 20 years GEAR UP grants have been designing, implementing, and testing strategies to build and solidify the involvement of parents and other caring adults in the learning of their students.  Today we must all learn how to continue offering services amid school closures.  

This is the time to be creative, resourceful, and nimble.  Avoid trying to reinvent the wheel and seek help from your broad GEAR UP network.  Whatever your need, consider reaching out via this forum on the Quad to ask others in the national GEAR UP community for help.  Remember, you are part of a band!

Family engagement is a shared responsibility among families, schools, and communities, and is an essential ingredient to ensure the success of all children.  I am invested in your students, just like I am invested in the future of Baby Betty!  Do not be timid and let me know how I can be of help.