WORCESTER—The Worcester Public Schools’ renewed commitment to family and community engagement was laid out in detail at Thursday night’s meeting of the Worcester School Committee.
The result of more than a year’s worth of work by Superintendent Dr. Rachel Monárrez and her administrative team, the “road map” to stronger relationships with the district’s families, is the result of “listening and learning tours” conducted by the superintendent soon after she came onto the job.
Dr. Monárrez told the school committee that two co-directors are in place as the initiative moves forward to full implementation. It syncs with the system’s new five-year strategic plan.
Fostering authentic partnerships, promoting inclusivity and accessibility, celebrating diversity and honoring families’ knowledge, strengthening linkages with families and the community, and supporting scholars’ success are key elements of the plan.
During a slide-show presentation offered by Casey Starr and Déborah Gonzaléz, it was noted that the goal is to see “community and families as equal partners.”
Members of the school committee were told that a quarterly superintendent’s roundtable, wraparound support at every school site, continuing professional development, and a revamped and streamlined process will ensure that the family and community engagement plan meets expectations.
It was noted that a recent “Family Academy” involving approximately two hundred families is a positive indicator that engagement is being given a high priority.
In addition to the superintendent’s roundtable, the push for better engagement will include such ingredients as annual family academies, sustained and consistent professional development for WRAPS, access for all families to interpretations, translations, childcare and refreshments, and robust community partnerships.
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Rod Lee is a career journalist, a veteran of the media scene in Central Massachusetts and the author of seven books including the recently published “Gil Cristopher,” a novel about the difficulties associated with aging. He can be contacted at rodlee1963@gmail.com
