By: Sarah Davila, District Administrator of Programs: English Learner Education/Family and Community Partnerships

Meaningful family and school partnerships lead to higher grades, better test scores, improved attendance, more productive school behavior, and help students to graduate and attain postsecondary education and careers.

Family involvement takes many forms including attending events at school. But busy parents should be reassured that the simple things that they do with their children at home such as looking over homework before it goes in the backpack and asking questions and talking about what their child is learning is just as important, and perhaps more important for school success.

The Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC) is an initiative launched by the Somerville Public Schools in fall 2010 to provide access to family and community engagement opportunities. Over the past year, the SFLC provided training and activities for over 1200 parents in the District. Programming is divided into four strands: 1) Family in Community, 2) Leadership and Advocacy, 3) Teaching and Learning, and 4) The Whole Child. All SFLC events and workshops are free and interpretation is provided in the target languages in our community. Below is a sampling of workshops and events that are designed to help you become and stay involved in your child's education:

The SFLC invites all family members to attend SFLC events, share in the development of SFLC programming but most importantly, we encourage you to engage in activities at your child's school and at home.

Whatever activities you choose to be involved in this school year, to be effective partners in your child's education, we suggest the following priorities for parents and family members:

Communicate: In our diverse, multilingual and multicultural school community, good communication is critical. Be sure to maintain contact with your child's teacher throughout the school year. Talk with other parents. Talk with your child about learning every day.

Learn more about curriculum, learning standards and expectations: Attend SFLC workshops about literacy and math and other curriculum topics. Read and sign the Home-School Learning Compact. Read to your child, or listen to your child read to you every day.

Be a life-long learner: Engage in learning opportunities whenever you have time. Take an English Class or practice speaking another language. Read books that are of interest to you. Attend SFLC workshops. Show your child that learning is important to you.

Become a leader: Share what you know. Participate in school events, PTA, School Council, Special Education PAC, and SFLC Parent Leadership Opportunities. Volunteer in your child's classroom or sign up as a Somerville Public Schools volunteer.

Please join us.

For Information on SFLC Programs, please visit: www.k12.somervillle.ma.us/families

or call: 617-625-6600 ext. 6960 or 6966