NSPRA's Communication Audit Report - Harford County Public ...

“experienced” parents can serve as resource contacts and advisors while providing a peer
connection to the schools.
Families should be provided with a packet of materials containing the most frequently
asked questions that new residents usually have, as well as other information that
explains how they can become involved in their child’s school and in the school district.
This type of ambassador group often has a representative or representatives at each
school and every effort is made to find a way to meet or talk with the new residents.
Contact can be made via phone, or new families can be invited to a special orientation
meeting at their school or at the district. This outreach can be particularly valuable for
parents of special needs students, to help them access available services. The Parent
Ambassadors Club becomes the “Welcome Wagon” for the schools and helps put a
friendly face on HCPS by engaging newcomers and ensuring that their first experiences
in the district are positive.
• Engage parents in their children’s education. Many districts have developed “Parent
University” programs to provide support to parents beyond the local school’s parent
outreach programs. These include workshops on parenting, preparing for college,
learning about the district’s curriculum and how to help with homework, and other topics
that engage parents in their children’s education by providing them with the tools they
need to become involved. Make information about how to get involved easy to access by
publishing it in district and school publications and on the web site. Research shows that
one of the “gaps” in communication with parents is that schools too often forget to issue
“invitations” for them to become involved. Make this a regular component of school
communication with parents.
• Keep a balanced approach to Board decision-making. Focus group feedback indicated
that the Board is sometimes perceived as not being open to ideas or input different from
their own. The Board may want to review its decision-making process to address this
concern. We have found in some instances that this perception exists because of
restrictions placed on the Board by Open Meeting laws and the public’s lack of
understanding of meeting protocols. One way to address this is for the Board President to
explain the protocol at the start of each meeting, so that those in attendance clearly
understand that the Board may only respond to topics and concerns that are on the
agenda.
We also encourage the Board to build time for listening and dialogue with stakeholders
into the beginning stages of decision-making, and not just at the end prior to taking a
vote. The Board will never be able to please everyone, but the decision-making process
needs to be balanced and should solicit community input through public engagement
strategies that provide insight on how the community feels about key upcoming issues.
• Hold “Coffee Conversations” in the community. Focus group participants noted that
the Board president has been attending PTA meetings to share information and answer
questions and that other Board members have also started to go out to schools more as
NSPRA Communication Audit 38 Harford County Public Schools