Hawthorne launched Hawthorne Family and Community Partnership University in the form of a series of cultural- and language-based coffee chats to build bridges between school and home for student success. Hawthorne Elementary is in its third year of partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital— Science Adventure Lab—to bring inquiry-based scientific processes and critical thinking skills to science classes and experiences for students.

Seattle, WA

Second Row: Kirby Green, Lanie Martin-Nowell, Tami Gianacos, Eileen Gray, Oveta Hunter, Len Hill

Hawthorne Family and Community Partnership University

Hawthorne Elementary School is located in one of the most culturally diverse zip codes in the nation with a rich tapestry of students and families who speak about 17 different languages at home.  Hawthorne launched Hawthorne Family and Community Partnership University in the form of a series of cultural- and language-based coffee chats to build bridges between school and home for student success.  When the partnership team noticed that many Chinese-speaking families did not attend, they scheduled an information night at the local Chinese Information Center.  There, more students and parents felt at ease and translators were readily available for non-English speakers.  The program focused on face-to-face discussions with school counselors with sessions for parents and for students.

In the parent session, graduate students from a nearby university discussed recent research and best practices to introduce Chinese-speaking families to the U.S. school system and local resources that they could use.  By creating a safe and positive environment, parents raised topics for discussion that were important to them.  In the student session, students discussed peer-to-peer conflicts, friendships, and potential conflict resolution.

Hawthorne Family and Community Partnership University is featured in Promising Partnership Practices 2015.

Science Adventure Lab (SAL)

Hawthorne Elementary is in its third year of partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital— Science Adventure Lab—to bring inquiry-based scientific processes and critical thinking skills to science classes and experiences for students.  Initially, scientists come with the mobile lab to the school to work with all 4^th and 5^th graders.  When the grant was renewed, SAL engaged students and their families in a Family Science Night and in learning more about STEM careers.

With the mobile lab, 4^th graders conducted projects such as Vital Signs! Monitoring Our Body’s System; and Sense, Think, Move: Exploring Brain Functions.  One evening families completed projects together and received information on STEM career pathways.  At the Seattle Research Institute, a Family Science Day helped students and families conduct other hands-on activities, take a tour of the facility, and interact with and ask questions of scientists and other STEM professionals.