Columbia, SC

Latorsha Murray, Coordinator of Parent and Family Engagement

Latorsha.Murray@richlandone.org

Partnering to Enrich the Lives of Eau Claire Cluster Families

Richland County School District One consists of seven clusters of schools linked to each other in feeder patterns. Within each cluster, students move from elementary, to middle, to high school. Each cluster is guided by a Family Engagement Specialist who gives individual attention to each school’s Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) and to the school’s program of family engagement. They also foster connections among schools in the cluster.

 Last year, one focus in the Eau Claire Cluster addressed parents’ questions about community and district services. An active community partner—Junior League of Columbia (JLC)—stepped up to help organize sessions to address families’ questions about community programs and services. Six schools that serve about 1500 students and their families joined the project: two schools focused on Dental Hygiene; two on Literacy Learning; and two schools focused on Student and Family Fitness.

For each topic, district leaders and community partners provided families and students with useful materials. For example, at the meeting on Dental Hygiene, students and parents received toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash, and information about dental care and services in the community. At the meeting on Reading and Literacy, students received books at their reading levels and packets of ideas and activities to increase reading skills at home. The Physical Fitness gathering provided students and parents with a fitness calendar of family-friendly activities and equipment to help them keep moving and practice good health habits.

At all meetings, parents and students received dinner from district-partner Chick-Fil-A, and a COVID-19 mask. Community partners donated valued door prizes to spark parents’ interest and enthusiasm. The JLC and community groups generously donated goods valued at about $15,000 (or $5000 for each of the three topical meetings).

Across the three activities, about 400 parents and more than 500 students attended, and appreciated the activities and information they received. It is important for districts and schools to learn from families what they need in services from the district or community to support students’ academic progress, medical care, and well-being. The district and community partners listened to parents and assisted them in important ways.

Read more about Partnering to Enrich the Lives of Eau Claire Cluster Families in Promising Partnership Practices 2022.