Involving Community
Helping parents
Mental Health and Crisis supports
Mental Health Crisis Teams
William Ostler Hospital
Peel Children's Centre Crisis Line
Tangerine drop in
Nexxus Youth services
The Rapport Program (accessed through school Social Work)
General info about school expectations
Agenda intro pages
Google docs version so translation is available
info nights to demystify homework, how we approach math now, etc
Settlement Workers
Can help family find housing, jobs, an interpreter
Can help women and children in abusive situations with cultural sensitivity
Volunteers
not just for reading and homework help - maybe organization, maybe putting on snowsuits! (Language barriers matter less).
Higher level - involve parents in school based decisions
how to honour staff or students who pass away - incorporate other cultural practices
information on how the board works, who's who
advisory committees beyond fund raising
Effective Communication
Use google classroom so they can use translate features
meet face to face, learn names
info nights for small focused groups- less intimidating - include translators
Making parents feel welcome in the school
seeing smiling staff
welcomed by name
seeing their child's work displayed
Learning at home
Let parents know about community events
clear info on homework policies
calendars with activities for families to do together
family math, literacy nights at school
intersession camps for our break times
information on possible family outings, locations to visit (many are immigrants)