At Edison Elementary, a United Way Community School, families are helping shape what it means to be part of their school community.
Through the Family Impact Team, parents and caregivers have a place to share ideas, talk about what their families need and have a voice in what is happening at Edison. One of the things that came directly from those conversations was Families Off Duty.
Families shared that they wanted a space to spend time together and get to know other parents and caregivers, so Families Off Duty was created.
For the past two years, families have gathered once a month for dinner and time together, with childcare provided. Each gathering also includes an activity chosen by the adults, like a paint night, a tour of the new building or another interactive activity, making it feel like more than just another meeting.
For Shadaya, an Edison parent, getting involved helped her connect with families she may have never gotten to know otherwise.
“With joining Families Off Duty, I have created a bond with other families that I probably normally wouldn’t have just walked up to and introduced myself to.”
But it is also a place where families know their ideas matter.
“Over the years of being a United Way Community School, we have worked hard to listen and honor the feedback from students, families and staff,” said Tami Krzeszewski-Conway, United Way Community School Director at Edison. “Parent feedback was collected through surveys, but there was an opportunity to increase direct input from families. Families’ voices are heard and acted upon to help guide decision making differently than in previous years.”
One example came when parents shared that they wanted a way to celebrate their fifth graders and their accomplishments. The school listened, and that idea helped lead to a fifth-grade celebration.
Being part of the group has also helped families feel more comfortable speaking up, asking questions and connecting with teachers and staff.
“It’s has definitely given me more confidence to speak up for my students, more confidence to speak to the teachers, to just any faculty around the school.” said Shadaya.
And sometimes, simply being involved helps families learn about support they did not even know was available.
As Shadaya shared, before getting involved, she did not realize how many resources were available to families through the school and their Community School Director.
Families Off Duty started because families spoke up about what they wanted. Two years later, it continues to give them a place to connect, build relationships and be part of what is happening at Edison.