WORCESTER—Enhancing family and community engagement has become one of the most prominent missions of the Worcester Public School’s Strategic Plan. New efforts to connect and inform families through a multitude of resources have already shown great results helping create a more united school community for both students and their families.
On March 6, the Worcester School Committee hosted a lengthy presentation by several district officials associated with these engagement initiatives who were happy to report the notable success of early elements of the program.
A focus on building stronger relationships
District Assistant Superintendent of Personnel, Engagement and Equity Yeu Kue explained that they developed a framework based around three main pillars of their efforts: strengthening relationships, building capacity, and improving communication.
“The strengthening of relationships to maximize student achievement and growth is really the work that we do,” said Kue.
She emphasized the importance of empowering scholars, families, and staff to engage authentically in the education process. “We cannot do this work without making sure that communication is two-way,” she said.
Kue added that providing equitable access to resources and programs requires consistent outreach and strong community partnerships to ensure everyone gets the support they need.
Wraparound coordinators are “invaluable assets”
The first and most extensive pillar, strengthening relationships, relies on the expertise of wraparound coordinators. This team of 47 plays a vital role in connecting families, schools, and community partners with critical resources, helping them engage more effectively and directly contribute to student success. School officials and the school committee repeatedly praised their efforts throughout the presentation. Co-Director of Family and Community Engagement at Worcester Public Schools Casey Starr highlighted their significance, calling them invaluable assets to the community.
“The impact of our district’s wraparound coordinators is clear in the growing number and diversity of families engaging with schools,” said Starr. “More families are attending events and actively participating in their children’s education.”
According to Starr, these coordinators have helped thousands of families this year alone, assisting with housing, food insecurity, clothing, healthcare, childcare, employment, and immigration support. This includes 313 families with housing needs, 883 experiencing food insecurity, and 888 in need of clothing. “These numbers, while significant, only scratch the surface, as they represent only the reported cases of formal assistance,” Starr stressed.
Several wraparound coordinators from different schools also spoke, showcasing how they work to improve family and student engagement. Paul Hernandez, a wraparound coordinator with Burncoat Middle School, explained more about their mission.
“We recognize that when families have access to the right resources students are better supported in their education,” said Hernandez. “That’s why we work closely with the local churches and community organizations that include the Worcester Housing Authority, the Kennedy Community Health Center, and more to connect families through these essential services.”
Empowering families and staff through capacity building
While wraparound coordinators play a key role in strengthening family and community connections, the district has also hosted numerous events that emphasize one-on-one interactions and social engagement, collectively reaching around 38,790 individuals. Support from community partners has been instrumental in these efforts, with five major groups providing families with opportunities to network and contribute to the school experience.
These groups include the Citywide Parent Planning Advisory Council, the English Learner Parent Advisory Council, the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, the Family and Community Engagement Roundtable, and the newly formed LGBTQIA+ Family Advisory Council.
Discussing the second pillar, building capacity, Starr explained the district’s dual capacity approach, which emphasizes both families and staff need to create stronger, more effective partnerships. A significant part of that effort is the Family Institute for Student Success (FISS), which provides workshops for families to help them engage more with both the schools and their own children. To date, FISS has graduated 41 individuals through its programs.
Improving communication for greater accessibility
Improving communication is the third pillar in the schools’ Strategic Plan. This has been tackled through enhancements to the district’s website by making it more user-friendly and providing better accessibility for those who speak different languages or who have disabilities like deafness or blindness. The district has also enhanced its advertising efforts and rolled out ParentSquare, an app that allows for two-way communication between families and the district. Approximately 47% of parents and caregivers have downloaded the app, while many others access the communication tool through its web-based version.
Ongoing efforts to unite
While WPS officials maintain that the district has made great strides in ensuring a welcoming, accessible, and engaging school atmosphere for all students in a short time, the mission is far from over. Starr said in addition to current efforts, they continue to work on generating new ideas to further push the district forward and bring everyone together as one community.
“Family and community engagement is not just an initiative,” Starr added. “It is a priority and a necessity for the success of our students and our schools. As we build on our progress and look ahead, we remain committed to strengthening partnerships, amplifying voices, and ensuring every family feels welcome, valued, and empowered to be a partner in their student’s education.”
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has over 11 years of news media experience. He has worked as a news anchor for WINY 1350 AM, contributed to Stonebridge Press publications, and covered racing as a Press Box coordinator at Thompson Speedway. Outside journalism, he is a movie enthusiast, freelance film reviewer, banker, and solo musician. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
