A Cultural Diversity subcommittee of the Core Team explored the countries of origin and cultures of the families of students in Naperville’s schools then developed a set of brochures—Celebrating Cultural Connections—for the district to welcome families to its schools and to help schools learn more about their families. The Naperville Core Team for School, Family, and Community Partnerships leveraged their new media-rich web site to promote communications, collaborations, and celebrations among educators, parents, and community partners.
Naperville, Illinois
Not Pictured: Nanette Awe, Jeri Blood, Dan Bridges (Superintendent), Salonee Ferrao (Student Representative), Marion Friebus-Flaman, Chris Lockhart, Katy Lynch (Principal Co-Chair), Tracy Mackh, Brian Valek, Carolyn Wenig
Celebrating Cultural Connections Brochures
District Leaders for Partnerships and the Core Team of advisors in Naperville Community School District 203 recognized that students and families brought multiple and complex cultural characteristics to school every day. The diversities are challenging, but offer many opportunities for enriching student learning and development. A Cultural Diversity subcommittee of the Core Team explored the countries of origin and cultures of the families of students in Naperville’s schools. The group developed a set of brochures—Celebrating Cultural Connections—for the district to welcome families to its schools and to help schools learn more about their families.
The first three brochures focused on China, India, and Mexico—the countries with the largest number of English Language Learners in the district. The 2-sided trifold brochures were divided into six sections. Four presented general information about the country; cultural practices; tips for interacting with people from the country based on culturally specific customs; and the educational system of the country. Two sections described education in Naperville CUSD 203 and how to be an active partner in children’s education. Initially designed as a resource for teachers to learn about the countries from which students’ families originated, the final colorful and comprehensive brochures were valued as a general resource for educators, parents, students, and the community.
Celebrating Cultural Connections Brochures is featured in Promising Partnership Practices 2015.
Leveraging Electronic Tools
Last summer, Naperville District 203 launched a new media-rich website. In the spirit of continuous improvement, the Core Team for School, Family, and Community Partnerships leveraged this new resource to promote communications, collaborations, and celebrations among educators, parents, and community partners. All schools’ partnership teams are served by the district’s media platform in posting information on school websites, Facebook pages, and Twitter #celebrate203. For example, even if they are not available to attend a workshop, team members and others can access resources from all of the schools. By using the online system to record/capture/share Best Practice, leaders have built the capacity of teams to share information at an individual school and at all schools in the district. The new technology improves communications about school, family, and community partnerships that improve student outcomes.
District leaders also use technology to evaluate their school’s progress on partnerships. The Core Team developed an electronic form that schools use to evaluate each activity that they implement. The Core Team reviews the reflection with an eye to the Framework of Six Types of Involvement and how it supports goals in the school’s One-Year Action Plan for Partnerships. The school receives a report celebrating its successes and detailing areas for improvement.
